M'FINGAL:  AN  EPIC  POEM. 


BY  JOHN  TRUMBULL. 


WITH    INTRODUCTION    AND    NOTES 
BY  BENSON  J.  LOSSING,  LL.D., 

4UTHOR   OF   "  PICTORIAL   FIELD-BOOK    OF  THE    REVOLUTION,"    ETC.,    ETC 


NEW  YORK: 

AMERICAN    BOOK    EXCHANGE, 
764   BROADWAY. 

1881. 


f 


.3 


COPYRIGHT,    l88l. 
BENSON     J.     LOSSING. 


INTRODUCTION. 


THE  scenes  and  incidents  of  the  old  war  for 
independence,  known  as  the  American  Revolu 
tion,  furnished  themes  for  contemplation  and 
comment  for  every  variety  of  minds,  and  evolved 
many  brilliant  sparks  of  genius  which  might 
otherwise  have  remained  latent  in  the  flint  of 
common  thought.  While  the  powers  of  highest 
statesmanship  and  military  skill  were  demanded 
in  the  management  of  great  public  interests, 
there  appeared  much  in  the  details  of  current 
events  to  excite  mirth  and  provoke  the  keenest 
weapons  of  wit  and  satire  to  wonderful  activity. 
Prudence  generally  commended  anonymity  to 
those  who  used  the  Press  for  the  exercise  of 
these  weapons,  at  a  time  when  there  was  an 
enemv  in  every  bush.  But  such  active  men  as 


4  INTRODUCTION. 

Paine,  Hopldnson, Freneau,  Trurabull,  and  others 
of  less  note,  could  not  long  wear  the  disguise  so 
as  effectually  to  conceal  themselves,  and  tln-y 
became  objects  of  admiration  for  the  Patriots, 
and  of  hatred  for  the  Loyalists. 

Of  all  the  literary  productions  of  that  day, 
having  for  its  theme  the  character  and  doings 
of  the  men  and  times  of  the  Revolution,  the 
remarkable  epic  entitled  M'FiXGAL  is  confess 
edly  most  deserving  of  immortality.  It  holds 
an  honorable  place  among  works  of  highest 
poetic  merit ;  and  as  a  satire,  applied  \vith  scath 
ing  power  to  those  who  opposed  the  war,  and 
were  active  in  their  loyalty  to  the  king,  it  ex- . 
hibits  force  rarely  equalled,  and  never  surpassed 
by  its  predecessors  in  that  peculiar  field.  That 
force  can  be  appreciated  now,  when  almost 
three  generations  of  men  have  passed  away 
since  the  actors  in  the  drama  were  upon  the 
stage,  only  by  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the 
point  of  each  allusion,  drawn  from  the  charac 
ter  of  the  times,  and  familiarity  with  the  social 
and  political  position  of  the  victims  of  the  keen 
Damascene  blade  of  the  satirist. 

The  late  Timothy  Dwight,  President  of  Yale 
College,  who  was  a  compatriot,  a  brother  poet, 


INTRODUCTION.  5 

and  a  friend  of  the  author,  writing  in  long-after 
years,  said  :  "  It  may  be  observed,  without  any 
partiality,  that  M'Fingal  is  not  inferior  in  wit 
and  humor  to  Hudibras  ;  and  in  every  other  re 
spect  is  superior.  It  has  a  regular  plan,  in 
which  all  the  parts  are  well  proportioned  and 
connected.  The  subject  is  fairly  proposed,  and 
the  story  conducted  through  a  series  of  ad 
vancements  and  retardations  to  a  catastrophe, 
which  is  natural  and  complete.  The  versifica 
tion  is  far  better,  the  poetry  is  in  several  in 
stances  in  a  good  degree  elegant,  and  in  some 
even  sublime.  It  is  also  free  from  those  endless 
digressions,  which,  notwithstanding  the  wit  dis 
covered  in  them,  are  so  tedious  in  Hudibras ; 
the  protuberances  of  which  are  a  much  larger 
mass  than  the  body  on  which  they  grow." 

"  The  Hudibrastic  body,"  says  the  Cydopce- 
dia  of  American  Literature,  "  is  thoroughly 
interpenetrated  by  its  American  spirit.  The 
illustrations,  where  there  were  the  greatest 
temptations  to  plagiarism,  are  drawn  from  the 
writer's  own  biblical  and  classical  reading,  and 
the  colloquial  familiarities  of  the  times.  For 
the  manners  of  the  poem,  there  is  no  record  of 
the  period  which  supplies  so  vivid  a  present  a- 


6  INTRODUCTION. 

tion  of  the  old  Revolutionary  Whig  habits  of 
thinking  and  acting.  We  are  among  the  ac 
tors  of  the  day — ^the  town  committees,  the  yeo 
manry,  the  politicians  and  soldiers,  participating 
in  the  rough  humors  of  the  times  ;  for  nothing 
is  more  characteristic  of  the  struggle  than  a 
certain  vein  of  pleasantry  and  hearty  animal 
spirits  which  entered  into  it.  Hardships  were 
endured  with  fortitude,  for  which  there  was 
occasion  enough,  but  the  contest  was  carried 
on  with  wit  as  with  other  weapons." 

The  purpose  of  the  poem  was  explained  by 
the  author  himself,  in  a  letter  to  the  Marquis  de 
Chastellux,  written  in  1785.  "  It  had  been  un 
dertaken,''  he  said,  "  at  the  instigation  of  some 
of  the  leading  members  of  the  first  Congress, 
who  urged  him  to  compose  a  satirical  poem  on 
the  events  of  the  campaign  in  the  year  1775  ;" 
and  that  he  "  had  aimed  at  expressing,  in  a 
poetical  manner,  a  general  account  of  the 
American  contest,  with  a  particular  description 
of  the  character  and  manners  of  the  times,  in 
terspersed  with  anecdotes,  which  no  history 
could  probably  record  or  display ;  and  where  as 
much  impartiality  as  possible,  satirize  the  follies 
and  extravagancies  of  his  countrymen,  as  well  as 


INTRODUCTION.  7 

of  their  enemies.  I  determined,"  he  says,  "to 
describe  every  subject  in  the  manner  it  struck 
my  own  imagination,  and  without  confining  my 
self  to  a  perpetual  effort  at  wit,  drollery  and 
humor,  indulge  every  variety  of  manner,  as  my 
subject  varied,  and  insert  all  the  ridicule,  satire, 
sense,  sprightliness  and  elevation,  of  which  I 
was  master."  How  well  this  design  was  exe 
cuted,  the  intelligent  reader  will  discover. 

The  first  and  second  cantos  of  MTingal  were 
published  as  one,  in  a  thin  pamphlet  of  forty 
pages,  by  William  and  Thomas  Bradford,  of 
Philadelphia.  It  \vas  issued  in  the  Autumn  of 
1775,  as  Canto  I.,  or  the  Town-Meeting,  In 
the  course  of  the  next  year  it  was  reprinted  in 
London,  where  it  passed  through  several 
editions,  and  was  very  popular  with  the  anti- 
ministerial  party  in  Great  Britain  and  America. 
For  a  long  time  it  was  believed  to  be  the  pro 
duction  of  some  English  scholar,  and  made  a 
very  favorable  impression  everywhere,  on  ac 
count  of  its  literary  merits.  As  a  political 
satire  it  was  regarded  as  inimitable,  and  was 
praised  by  men  of  all  parties.  But  when  it  was 
known  that  the  author  was  a  native  of  Xew 
England,  the  London  press  and  loyal  writers  in 


8  INTRODUCTION. 

America,  poured  obloquy  and  contempt  upon 
him  in  full  measure. 

When  the  first  part  of  M'Fingal  was  pub 
lished,  the  author  had  sketched  a  plan  for  its 
extension,  but  he  did  not  take  it  up  again  until 
the  close  of  the  war,  when  his  friends  urged  him 
to  complete  it.  lie  did  so,  by  dividing  the  first 
half  into  two  cantos,  and  adding  two  more. 
The  whole  work  was  printed  and  published  by 
Hudson  and  Godwin  at  Hartford  in  Connecticut, 
before  the  close  of  1782.  Of  that  edition  the 
one  now  offered  to  the  public  is  a  faithful  tran 
script. 

In  the  explanatory  notes  appended  to  the 
Poem  in  the  present  edition,  the  reader  will 
find  that  full  information  which  is  necessary  to 
a  proper  appreciation  oi'the  force  of  the  satire. 

John  Trumbull,  the  author  of  M'FINGAL,  was 
the  child  of  a  congregational  minister.  He  was 
an  only  son,  delicate  in  physical  constitution, 
and  a  favorite  of  his  accomplished  mother.  He 
was  an  exceedingly  precocious  child,  and  at  the 
age  of  seven  years  was  considered  qualified  to 
enter  Yale  College,  as  a  student.  There  he 
was  graduated,  in  1767,  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts,  and  remained  a  student  three 


INTRODUCTION.  9 

years  longer.  He  turned  his  attention  chiefly 
to  polite  literature,  as  well  as  the  Greek  and 
Latin  classics,  and  became  a  most  accomplished 
scholar.  He  and  Timothy  D  wight  became  in 
timate  friends,  and  the  bond  of  mutual  attach 
ment  was  severed  only  by  death.  They  were 
co-essayists,  in  1769  ;  and,  in  1771,  they  were 
both  appointed  tutors  in  the  college.  The  fol 
lowing  year  young  Trumbull  published  the  first 
part  of  a  poem  entitled  The  Progress  of  Dul- 
ness.  He  selected  the  law  as  his  profession, 
arid  devoted  much  of  his  leisure  time  to  its 
study.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1773, 
but  immediately  afterward  went  to  Boston,  and 
placed  himself  under  the  instructions  of  John 
Adams.  While  in  Boston  he  wrote  an  Elegy 
on  the  Times,  a  poem  in  sixty-eight  stanzas, 
which  celebrated  the  Boston  Port  Bill,  the 
non-importation  associations,  and  the  present 
strength  and  future  glory  of  the  country.  He 
commenced  the  practice  of  law  at  Hartford,  in 
1781,  and  soon  became  distinguished  for  legal 
acumen  and  forensic  eloquence.  As  we  have 
observed,  his  M'-Fingal  was  completed,  and 
published  at  Hartford  in  1782.  As  authors 
were  then  unprotected  by  copyright  laws,  there 


io  INTRODUCTION. 

were  more  than  thirty  different  pirated  impres 
sions  printed,  and  circulated  by  "  newsmongers, 
hawkers,  peddlers,  and  petty  chapmen." 

Mr.  Trumbull  was  soon  afterward  associated 
with  Humphreys,  Barlow,  and  Dr.  Lemuel 
Hopkins,  in  the  production  of  a  work  which 
they  styled  The  Anarchiad.  It  contained  bold 
satire,  and  exerted  considerable  influence  on 
the  popular  taste. 

In  178.9,  Mr.  Trumbull  was  appointed  State 
Attorney  for  the  county  of  Hartford ;  and,  in 
1792,  he  represented  that  district  in  the  Con 
necticut  legislature.  His  health  failed  ;  and,  in 
1795,  he  resigned  his  office,  and  declined  all 
public  business.  Toward  the  close  of  1798,  a 
severe  illness  formed  the  crisis  of  his  nervous 
excitement,  and  after  that  his  health  was  much 
better.  He  was  again  elected  to  a  seat  in  the 
State  legislature  in  May,  1800,  and  the  follow 
ing  year  he  was  appointed  a  judge  of  the  Su 
perior  Court  of  Connecticut.  From  that  time 
he  abandoned  party  politics,  as  inconsistent 
with  judicial  duties.  In  1808,  he  was  ap 
pointed  jud'^e  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Errors, 
in  which  oihce  he  remained  several  years.  In 
the  year  1805,  Woodruff  and  Periam  printed  an 


INTRODUCTION.  n 

edition  of  M'Fingal  at  Elizabethtown,  in  New 
Jersey,  by  permission  of  the  author.  In  1820, 
he  revised  his  works,  and  they  were  published 
in  Hartford,  in  handsome  style,  by  Samuel  G, 
Goodrich,  from  whom  the  author  received  the 
handsome  compensation  of  one  thousand  dol 
lars. 

Judge  Trunibull  and  his  wife  went  to  De 
troit  in  1825,  and  made  their  abode  with  their 
daughter,  Mrs.  Woodbridge,  where  he  died  of 
gradual  decay,  on  the  10th  of  May,  1831,  at 
the  age  of  eighty-one  years. 


M'FINGAL  : 

A      MODERN 

EPIC        POEM, 
IN    FOUR    CANTOS. 


Ergo  non  fads  eft  rifu  diducere  riftum 

Auditoris :  ct  eft  quaedam  tamer,  hie  quoque  virtus ; 

Eft  brcvitate  opus,  ut  currat  fententia,  neu  fe 

Impediat  verbis  tafias  onerantibus  aures. 

Et  fcrmone  opus  eft  modo  trifti,  fepe  jocofo, 

Defendente  vicem  modo  Rhetoris,  atque  Poeta;, 

Intcrdum  urbani  parcentis  viribus  atque 

Extenuantis  cas  confulto.     Ridiculum  acri 

Fortius  et  mclius  magnas  plerumque  fecat  res. 

Horat.  Lib.  i.  Sat.  10. 


HARTFORD: 

Printed    by    HUDSON    and    GOODWIN,     near    the 
Great  Bridge,  1782. 


M'FINGAL : 
CANTO       FIRST, 

O  R 

THE  TOWN-MEETING,  A.M. 


Yankies ',  Ikill'd  in  martial  rule, 
Firft  put  the  Britifh  troops  to  fchool ; 
Inftrudled  them  in  warlike  trade, 
And  new  manoeuvres  of  parade ; 
The  true  war-dance  of  Yanky-reels, 
And  manual  exercife  of  heels ; 
Made  them  give  up,  like  faints  complete, 
The  arm  of  flefh  and  truft  the  feet, 
And  work,  like  Chriftians  undiflembling, 
Salvation  out,  by  fear  and  trembling2; 
Taught  Percy  fafhionablc  races, 
And  modern  modes  of  C  hevy-chaces   : 

From 


1 6  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  L  :  FCANTO 

From  Bofton,  in  his  beft  array, 
Great  'Squire  M'Fingal4  took  his  way, 
And  graced  with  enfigns  of  renown, 
Steer'd  homeward  to  his  native  town. 

His  high  defcent  our  heralds  trace 
To  Offian's  famed  Fingalian  race : 
For  tho'  their  name  fome  part  may  lack, 
Old  Fingal  fpelt  it  with  a  Mac ; 
Which  great  M'Pherfon,  with  fubmiffion 
We  hope  will  add,  the  next  edition5. 

His  fathers  flourifli'd  in  the  Highlands 
Of  Scotia's  fog-benighted  iflands ; 
Whence  gain'd  our  'Squire  two  gifts  by  right, 
Rebellion  and  the  Second-fight8. 
Of  these  the  firft,  in  ancient  days, 
Had  gain'd  the  nobleft  palms  of  praife, 
'Gainrt  Kings  flood  forth  and  many  a  crown'd  head 
With  terror  of  its  might  confounded ; 
Till  rofe  a  King  with  potent  charm 
His  foes  by  goodnefs  to  difarm, 

Whom 


FIRST.]  THE   TOWN-MEETING,    A.   M.        17 

Whom  ev'ry  Scot  and  Jacobite7 
Straight  fell  in  love  with,  at  firft  fight; 
Whofe  gracious  fpeech,  with  aid  of  penfions, 
Hufh'd  down  all  murmurs  of  diflenfions, 
And  with  the  found  of  potent  metal, 
Brought  all  their  bluft'ring  swarms  to  fettle8; 
Who  rain'd  his  miniilerial  mannas, 
Till  loud  Sedition  fung  hofannahs ; 
The  good  Lords-Bifhops  and  the  Kirk 
United  in  the  public  work9; 
Rebellion  from  the  Northern  regions, 
With  Bute  and  Mansfield  fwore  allegiance10; 
And  all  combin'd  to  raze  as  nuifance, 
Of  church  and  ftate,  the  conflitutions ; 
Pull  down  the  empire,  on  whofe  ruins 
They  meant  to  edify  their  new  ones ; 
Knflave  th'  American  wildernefles, 
And  tear  the  provinces  in  pieces u : 
For  thcfe  our  'Squire  among  the  valiant'ft, 
Employ'd  his  time  and  tools  and  talents ; 
And  in  their  caufe  with  manly  zeal 
Ufcd  his  firft  virtue,  to  rebel ; 

And 


i8  M  CF  ING  AL  : 

And  found  this  new  rebellion  pleafmg 
As  his  old  king-deftroying  treafon. 

Nor  lefs  avail'd  his  optic  Height, 
And  Scottifh  gift  of  fecond-fight. 
No  antient  fybil  fam'd  in  rhyme 
Saw  deeper  in  the  womb  of  time I5 ; 
No  block  in  old  Dodona's13  grove, 
Could  ever  more  orac'lar  prove. 
Nor  only  faw  he  all  that  was, 
But  much  that  never  came  to  pass ; 
Whereby  all  Prophets  far  outwent  he, 
Tho'  former  days  produc'd  a  plenty; 
For  any  man  with  half  an  eye, 
What  Hands  before  him  may  efpy; 
But  optics  (harp  it  needs  I  ween, 
To  fee  what  is  not  to  be  feen. 
As  in  the  days  of  antient  fame 
Prophets  and  poets  were  the  fame, 
And  all  the  praife  that  poets  gain 
Is  but  for  what  th'  invent  and  feign : 
So  gain'd  our  'Squire  his  fame  by  feeing 
Such  things  as  never  would  have  being. 


[CANTO 


Whence 


FIRST.]  THE    TOWN-MEETING,    A.   M.         i  g 

Whence  he  for  oracles  was  grown 
The  very  tripod11  of  his  town. 
Gazettes  no  fooner  rofe  a  lye  in, 
But  ftraight  he  fell  to  prophcfying ; 
Made  dreadful  {laughter  in  his  courfe, 
O'erthrew  provincials,  foot  and  horfe ; 
Brought  armies  o'er  by  fudden  preffings 
Of  Hanoverians,  Swifs  and  Heffians15; 
Feafted  with  blood  his  Scottifh  clan, 
And  hang'd  all  rebels,  to  a  man ; 
Divided  their  eftates  and  pelf, 
And  took  a  goodly  (hare  himfelf16. 
All  this  with  fpirit  energetic, 
He  did  by  fecond-fight  prophetic. 

Thus  ftor'd  with  intellectual  riches, 
Skill'd  was  our  'Squire  in  making  fpeeches, 
Where  ftrength  of  brain  united  centers 
With  ftrength  of  lungs  furpaffing  Stentor's17. 
But  as  fome  mufquets  fo  contrive  it, 
As  oft  to  mifs  the  mark  they  drive  at, 
And  tho'  well  aim'd  at  duck  or  plover, 
Bear  wide  and  kick  their  owners  over : 

So 


zo  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  L  :  [CANTO 

So  far'd  our  'Squire,  whofe  reas'ning  toil 
Would  often  on  himfelf  recoil, 
And  fo  much  injur'd  more  his  fide, 
The  ftronger  arg'mcnts  he  applied : 
As  old  war-elephants  difmay'd, 
Trode  down  the  troops  they  came  to  aid, 
And  hurt  their  own  fide  more  in  battle 
Than  lefs  and  ordinary  cattle.13 
Yet  at  town-meetings  ev'ry  chief 
Pinn'd  faith  on  great  M'Fingal's  fleeve, 
And  as  he  motion'd,  all  by  rote 
Rafe'd  fympathetic  hands  to  vote. 

The  town,  our  Hero's  fcene  of  aftion, 
Had  long  been  torn  by  feuds  of  faftion, 
And  as  each  party's  ftrength  prevails, 
It  turn'd  up  different,  heads  or  tails; 
With  conftant  rattling  in  a  trice 
Show'd  various  fides  as  oft  as  dice : 
As  ihat  fam'd  weaver,  wife  t'  Ulyfles, 
By  night  each  day's  work  pick'd  in  pieces, 
An  tho'  fhe  ftoutly  did  beltir  her, 
Its  finifhing  was  ne'er  the  nearer 19 : 

So 


FIRST.]  THE   TOWN-MEETING,    A.  M.       21 

So  did  this  town  with  fledfaft  zeal 

Weave  cob-webs  for  the  public  weal, 

Which  when  compleated,  or  before, 

A  fecond  vote  in  pieces  tore. 

They  met,  made  fpeeches  full  long  winded, 

Refolv'd,  protefled,  and  refcinded ; 

AddrefTes  figned,  then  chofe  Committees, 

To  flop  all  drinking  of  Bohea-teas  j 

With  winds  of  doftrine  veer'd  about, 

And  turn'd  all  Whig-Committees  out20. 

Meanwhile  our  Hero,  as  their  head, 

In  pomp  the  tory21  faction  led, 

Still  following,  as  the  'Squire  mould  please, 

Succeffive  on,  like  files  of  geefe. 

% 
And  now  the  town  was  fummon'd  greeting, 

To  grand  parading  of  town-meeting ; 
A  mow,  that  flrangers  might  appall, 
As  Rome's  grave  fenate  did  the  Gaul22. 
High  o'er  the  rout,  on  pulpit  flairs23, 
Like  den  of  thieves  in  houfe  of  pray'rs, 
(That  houfe,  which  loth  a  rule  to  break, 

Serv'd  heav'n  but  one  day  in  the  week, 

Open 


22  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Open  the  reft  for  all  fupplics 

Of  news  and  politics  and  lies) 

Stood  forth  the  conftable,  and  bore 

His  ftafF,  like  Merc'ry's  wand  of  yore24, 

Wav'd  potent  round,  the  peace  to  keep, 

As  that  laid  dead  men's  fouls  to  fleep. 

Above  and  near  th'  hermetic  ftafF, 

The  moderator's  upper  half, 

In  grandeur  o'er  the  culhion  bow'd, 

Like  Sol  half-feen  behind  a  cloud.25 

Beneath  ftood  voters  of  all  colours, 

Whigs,  tories,  orators  and  bawlers, 

With  ev'ry  tongue  in  either  faftion, 

Prepar'd,  like  minute-men-6,  for  action; 

Where  truth  and  falfehood,  wrong  and  right, 

Draw  all  their  legions  out  to  fight; 

With  equal  uproar,  fcarcely  rave, 

Oppofing  winds  in  ^Eolus'  cave27; 

Such  dialogues  with  earneft  face, 

Held  never  Balaam  with  his  afs28. 

With  daring  zeal  and  courage  bleft 
Honorius29  firft  the  crowd  addrefs'd; 

When 


FIRST.]  THE   TOWN -MEETING,    A.  M.        23 

When  now  our  'Squire  returning  late, 
Arrived  to  aid  the  grand  debate, 
With  ftrange  four  faces  fat  him  down, 
While  thus  the  orator  went  on. 

"  —  For  ages  bleft,  thus  Britain  rofe 
The  terror  of  encircling  foes; 
Her  heroes  rul'd  the  bloody  plain ; 
Her  conq'ring  ftandard  aw'd  the  main  : 
The  difFrent  palms  her  triumphs  grace, 
Of  arms  in  war,  of  arts  in  peace  : 
UnharrafT'd  by  maternal  care, 
Each  rifing  province  flourifh'd  fair; 
Whofe  various  wealth  with  lib'ral  hand, 
By  far  o'er-paid  the  parent-land30. 
But  tho'  fo  bright  her  fun  might  mine, 
'Twas  quickly  halting  to  decline, 
With  feeble  rays,  too  weak  t'  affuage, 
The  damps,  that  chill  the  eve  of  age. 

For  ftates,  like  men,  are  doom'd  as  well 
Th'  infirmities  of  age  to  feel31; 

And 


24  M  *  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

And  from  their  different  forms  of  empire 

Are  feiz'd  with  ev'ry  deep  diftemper. 

Some  ftates  high  fevers  have  made  head  in, 

Which  nought  could  cure  but  copious  bleeding ; 

While  others  have  grown  dull  and  dozy, 

Or  fix'd  in  helplefs  idiocy; 

Or  turn'd  demoniacs  to  belabour 

Each  peaceful  habitant  and  neighbour ; 

Or  vex't  with  hypocondriac  fits, 

Have  broke  their  ftrength  and  loft  their  wits. 

Thus  now  while  hoary  years  prevail, 
Good  Mother  Britain  feem'd  to  fail ; 
Her  back  bent,  crippled  with  the  weight 
Of  age  and  debts  and  cares  of  ftate  : 
For  debts  flic  ow'd,  and  thofe  fo  large, 
As  twice  her  wealth  could  not  difcharge, 
And  now  *twas  thought,  fo  high  they'd  grown, 
She'd  break  and  come  upon  the  town32; 
Her  arms,  of  nations  once  the  dread, 
She  fcarcc  could  lift  above  her  head  ; 
Her  deafen'd  ears  ('twas  all  their  hope) 
The  nnal  trump  perhaps  might  ope, 

So 


FIRST.]  THE    TOWN -MEETING,    A.   M.         25 

So  long  they'd  been  in  ftupid  mood, 
Shut  to  the  hearing  of  all  good ; 
Grim  Death  had  put  her  in  his  fcroll, 
Down  on  the  execution-roll ; 
And  Gallic  crows,  as  {he  grew  weaker, 
Began  to  whet  their  beaks  to  pick  her33 
And  now  her  pow'rs  decaying  faft, 
Her  grand  ClimacYric  had  me  part, 
And,  juft  like  all  old  women  elfe, 
Fell  in  the  vapours  much  by  fpells. 
Strange  whimlies  on  her  fancy  ftruck, 

And  gave  her  brain  a  difmal  mock ; 

Her  mem'ry  fails,  her  judgment  ends ; 

She  quite  forgot  her  neareft  friends, 

Loft  all  her  former  fenfe  and  knowledge, 

And  fitted  fart  for  Beth'lem  college 34; 

Of  all  the  pow'rs  me  once  retain'd, 

Conceit  and  pride  alone  remain'd. 

As  Eve  when  falling  was  fo  modeft 

To  fancy  me  mould  grow  a  goddefsa>; 

As  madmen,  ftraw  who  long  have  flept  on, 

Will  stile  them,  Jupiter  or  Neptune: 

So 


2ft  M  '  F  I  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTC 

So  Britain  'midft  her  airs  fo  flighty, 

Now  took  a  whim  to  be  Almighty; 

Urg'd  on  to  defp'rate  heights  of  frenzy, 

Affirm'd  her  own  Omnipotency36; 

Would  rather  ruin  all  her  race, 

Than  'bate  Supremacy  an  ace ; 

Affumed  all  rights  divine,  as  grown 

The  churches  head37,  like  good  Pope  Joan38; 

Swore  all  the  world  mould  bow  an'd  fkip 

To  her  almighty  Goodymip ; 

Anath'matiz'd  each  unbeliever, 

And  vow'd  to  live  and  rule  forever. 

Her  fcrvants  humour'd  every  whim, 

And  own'd  at  once  her  pow'r  fupreme, 

Her  follies  pleas'd  in  all  their  ftages, 

For  fake  of  legacies  and  wages ; 

In  Stephen's  Chapel39  then  in  ftate  too 

Set  up  her  golden  calf  to  pray  to, 

Proclaim'd  its  pow'r  and  right  divine, 

And  call'd  for  worfhip  at  its  fhrine, 

And  for  poor  Heretics  to  burn  us, 

Bade  North40  prepare  his  fiery  furnace; 

Struck 


FIRST.]  THE    TOWN-MEETING,    A.M.      27 

Struck  bargains  with  the  Romifh  churches 

Infallibility  to  purchafe ; 

Set  wide  for  Popery  the  door, 

Made  friends  with  Babel's  fcarlet  whore41, 

Join'd  both  the  matrons  firm  in  clan ; 

No  filters  made  a  better  fpan. 

No  wonder  then,  ere  this  was  over, 

That  me  mould  make  her  children  fuffer. 

She  firft,  without  pretence  of  reafon, 

Claim'd  right  whate'er  we  had  to  feize  on ; 

And  with  determin'd  refolution, 

To  put  her  claims  in  execution, 

Sent  fire  and  fword,  and  called  it,  Lenity, 

Starv'd  us,  and  chrillen'd  it,  Humanity42. 

For  me,  her  cafe  grown  defperater, 

Miftook  the  plaineft  things  in  nature ; 

Had  loft  all  ufe  of  eyes  or  wits ; 

Took  flav'ry  for  the  bill  of  rights43; 

Trembled  at  Whigs  and  deem'd  them  foes, 

And  ftopp'd  at  loyalty  her  nofe ; 

Stiled  her  own  children,  brats  and  caitiffs, 

And  knew  us  not  from  th'  Indian  natives. 

What 


28  M'FiNGAL.  [CANTO 

What  tho'  with  fupplicating  pray'r 
We  bcgg'd  our  lives  and  goods  ihe'd  {pare44; 
Not  vainer  vows,  with  fillier  call, 
Elijah's  prophets  rais'd  to  Baal45; 
A  worfhipp'd  flock  of  god,  or  goddefs, 
Had  better  heard  and  underftood  us. 
So  once  Egyptians  at  the  Nile 
Ador'd  their  guardian  Crocodile, 
Who  heard  them  firlt  with  kindeft  ear, 
And  ate  them  to  reward  their  pray'r46; 
And  could  he  talk,  as  kings  can  do, 
Had  made  as  gracious  fpeeches  too 47. 

Thus  fpitc  of  pray'rs  her  fchemes  purfuing, 
She  ftill  went  on  to  work  our  ruin ; 
AnnullM  our  charters  of  releafes43, 
And  tore  our  title-deeds  in  pieces ; 
Then  fign'd  her  warrants  of  ejection, 
And  gallows  rais'd  to  ftretch  our  necks  on : 
And  on  thefe  errands  fent  in  rage, 
Her  bailiff,  and  her  hangman,  Gage49, 
And  at  his  heels,  like  dogs  to  bait  us, 

Difpatch'd  her  Pofle  Comitatus50. 

No 


FIRST.]  THE   TOWN-MEETING,   A.M.     29 

No  ftate  e'er  chofe  a  fitter  perfbn, 
To  carry  fuch  a  filly  farce  on. 
As  Heathen  gods  in  antient  days 
Received  at  fecond-hand  their  praife, 
Stood  imag'd  forth  in  ftones  and  flocks, 
And  deified  in  barber's  blocks ; 
So  Gage  was  chofe  to  reprefent 
Th'  omnipotence  of  Parliament. 
And  as  old  heroes  gain'd,  by  fhifts, 
From  gods,  as  poets  tell,  their  gifts; 
Our  Gen'ral,  as  his  actions  mow, 
Gain'd  like  affiftance  from  below, 
By  Satan  graced  with  full  fupplies, 
From  all  his  magazine  of  lies. 
Yet  could  his  practice  ne'er  impart 
The  wit  to  tell  a  lie  with  art. 
Thofe  lies  alone  are  formidable, 
Where  artful  truth  is  mixt  with  fable ; 
But  Gage  has  bungled  oft  fo  vilely, 
No  foul  would  credit  lies  fo  filly, 
Outwent  all  faith  and  llretch'd  beyond 
Credulity's  extremeft  end. 

Whence 


30  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  r. .  [CANTO 

Whence  plain  it  feems  tho'  Satan  once 
O'erlook'd  with  fcorn  each  brainlefs  dunce, 
And  blund'ring  brutes  in  Eden  fhunning, 
Chofe  out  the  ferpent  for  his  cunning51; 
Of  late  he  is  not  half  fo  nice, 
Npr  picks  affiftants,  'caufe  they're  wife. 
For  had  he  flood  upon  perfection, 
His  prefent  friends  had  loft  th'  eledlion, 
And  far'd  as  hard  in  this  proceeding, 
As  owls  and  afles  did  in  Eden. 

Yet  fools  are  often  dang'rous  enemies, 
As  meaneft  reptiles  are  moft  venomous ; 
Nor  e'er  could  Gage  by  craft  and  prowefs 
Have  done  a  whit  more  mifchief  to  us : 
Since  he  began  th'  unnatural  war, 
The  work  his  matters  fent  him  for. 

And  are  there  in  this  freeborn  land 
Among  ourfelves  a  venal  band, 
A  daftard  race,  who  long  have  fold 
Their  fouls  and  confcicnces  for  gold ; 

Who 


FIRST.]  THE    TOWN-MEETING,    A.M.       31 

•Who  wifh  to  ftab  their  country's  vitals, 
If  they  might  heir  furviving  titles ; 
With  joy  behold  our  mifchiefs  brewing, 
Infult  and  triumph  in  our  ruin  ? 
Priefts  who,  if  Satan  fhould  lit  down, 
To  make  a  Bible  of  his  own, 
Would  gladly  for  the  fake  of  mitres, 
Turn  his  infpir'd  and  facred  writers ; 
Lawyers,  who  fhould  he  wifh  to  prove 
His  title  t'  his  old  feat  above, 
Would,  if  his  caufe  he'd  give  'em  fees  in, 
Bring  writs  of  Entry  fur  difleifm52, 
Plead  for  him  boldly  at  the  feffion, 
And  hope  tD  put  him  in  pofleffion; 
Merchants  who,  for  his  kindly  aid, 
Would  make  him  partners  in  their  trade, 
Hang  out  their  figns  in  goodly  Ihow, 
Infcrib'd  with 'Beelzebub  and  Co.' 
And  Judges,  who  would  lift  his  pages, 
For  proper  liveries  and  wages ; 
And  who  as  humbly  cringe  and  bow 

To  all  his  mortal  fervants  now  ? 

There 


32  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

There  are ;  and  fhame  with  pointing  gefturcs, 
Marks  out  th'  Addreflcrs  and  Protefters53; 
Whom,  following  down  the  ftream  of  fate, 
Contempts  ineffable  await, 
And  public  infamy  forlorn, 
Dread  hate  and  everlafling  fcorn." 

As  thus  he  fpakc,  our  'Squire  M'Fingal 
Gave  to  his  partizans  a  fignal. 
Not  quicker  roll'd  the  waves  to  land, 
When  Mofes  wav'd  his  potent  wand, 
Nor  with,  more  uproar,  than  the  Tories 
Set  up  a  gen'ral  rout  in  chorus ; 
Laugh'd,  hifs'd,  hem'd,  murmur'd,  groan'd  and  jeer'd  ; 
Honorius  now  could  fcarce  be  heard. 
Our  Mufe  amid  th'  increafing  roar, 
Could  not  diftinguifh  one  word  more : 
Tho'  me  fat  by,  in  firm  record 
To  take  in  fhorthand  ev'ry  word  ; 
As  antient  Muses  wont,  to  whom 
Old  Bards  for  dcpofitions  come  ; 
Who  muft  have  writ  'em ;  for  how  elfe 
Could  they  each  fpecch  verbatim  tell  's  ? 

And 


FIRST.]  THE    TOWN-MEETING,    A.   M.         33 

And  tho'  fome  readers  of  romances 

Are  apt  to  flrain  their  tortur'd  fancies, 

And  doubt,  when  lovers  all  alone 

Their  fad  foliloquies  do  groan, 

Grieve  many  a  page  with  no  one  near  'em, 

And  nought  but  rocks  and  groves  to  hear  'em, 

What  fpright  infernal  could  have  tattled, 

And  told  the  authors  all  they  prattled ; 

Whence   fome  weak  minds  have  made  objection, 

That  what  they  fcribbled  muft  be  fiction : 

'Tis  falfe ;  for  while  the  lovers  fpoke, 

The  Mufe  was  by,  with  table-book, 

And  leaft  fome  blunder  might  enfue, 

Echo  flood  clerk  and  kept  the  cue. 

And  tho'  the  fpeech  ben't  worth  a  groat, 

As  ufual,  'tisn't  the  author's  fault, 

But  error  merely  of  the  prater, 

Who  fhould  have  talk'd  to  th'  purpofe  better: 

Which  full  cxcufe,  my  critic-brothers, 

May  help  me  out,  as  well  as  others ; 

And  'tis  defign'd,  tho'  here  it  lurk, 

To  ferve  as  preface  to  this  work. 

So 


34  M  '  F  i  N  c,  A  i :  [CANTC 

So  let  it  be — for  now  our  'Squire 
No  longer  could  contain  his  ire ; 
And  riling  'midft  applauding  Tories, 
Thus  vented  wrath  upon  Honorius. 

Quoth  he,   "  'Tis  wondrous  what  ftrangc   (luff 
Your  Whig's-heads  are  compounded  of; 
Which  force  of  logic  cannot  pierce, 
Nor  fyllogiftic  carte  &  tierce, 
Nor  weight  of  fcripture  or  of  reafon 
Suffice  to  make  the  leaft  impreffion. 
Not  heeding  what  ye  raifd  contell  on, 
Ye  prate,  and  beg  or  fteal  the  queilion  ; 
And  when  your  boafted  arguings  fail, 
Strait  leave  all  reaf'ning  off,  to  rail. 
Have  not  our  High-Church  Clergy51  made  it 
Appear  from  fcriptures  which  ye  credit, 
That  right  divine  from  heav'n  was  lent 
To  kings,  that  is  the  Parliament, 
Their  fubjefts  tp  opprefs  and  teaze, 
And  ferve  the  Devil  when  they  pleaie? 
Did  they  not  write  and  oniy  and  preach, 
And  torture  ail  the  part;;  of  ipeech, 


FIRS  T.J    T  H  E     T  O  W  N  -  M  E  E  T  I  h  G  ,      A  .     M  .  3  J 

About  Rebellion  make  a  pother, 
From  one  end  of  the  land  to  th'  other  ? 
And  yet  gain'd  fewer  proPlyte  Whigs, 
Than  old  St.  Anth'ny  'mongft  the  pigs ; 
And  chang'd  not  half  fo  many  vicious 
As  Auftin,  when  he  preach'd  to  fifties ; 
Who  throng'd  to  hear,  the  legend  tells, 
Were  edified  and  wagg'd  their  tails  " : 
But  fcarce  you'd  prove  it,  if  you  tried, 
That  e'er  one  Whig  was  edified, 
Have  ye  not  heard  from  Parfon  Walter'56 
Much  dire  prefage  of  many  a  halter  ? 
What  warnings  had  ye  of  your  duty 
From  our  old  Rev'rend  Sam.  Auchmuty8*? 
From  Pricfts  of  all  degrees  and  metres, 
T'  our  fag-end  man  poor  Parfon  Peters53? 
Have  not  our  Cooper59  and  our  Seabury60 
Sung  hymns,  like  Barak  and  old  Deborah"'; 
Prov'd  all  intrigues  to  fet  you  free 
Rebellion  'gainft  the  pow'rs  that  be ; 
Brought  over  many  a  fcripture  text 
That  ufed  to  wink  at  rebel  fefts, 

Coax'd 


36  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Coax'd  wayward  ones  to  favour  regents, 
Or  paraphraf'd  them  to  obedience  ; 
Prov'd  ev'ry  king,  ev'n  thofe  confeft 
Horns  of  th'  Apocalyptic  beaft62, 
And  fprouting  from  its  noddles  feven, 
Or'dain'd,  as  bifhops  are,  by  heav'n; 
(For  reafons  fim'lar,  as  we're  told 
That  Tophet  was  ordain'd  of  old) 
By  this  lay-ordination  valid 
Becomes  all  fanftified  and  hallow'd, 
Takes  patent  out  when  heav'n  has  fign'd  it, 
And  ftarts  up  ftrait,  the  Lord's  anointed  ? 
Like  extreme  unction  that  can  cleanfc 
Each  penitent  from  deadly  fins, 
Make  them  run  glib,  when  oil'd  by  Prieft, 
The  heav'nly  road,  like  wheels  new  greafd, 
Serve  them,  like  moeball63,  for  defences 
'Gainft  wear  and  tear  of  confciences : 
So  king's  anointment  cleans  betimes, 
Like  fuller's  earth61,  all  {pots  of  crimes, 
For  future  knav'ries  gives  commiffions, 
Like  Papifts  finning  under  licence65. 

For 


FIRST.]  THE    TOWN -MEETING,    A.   M.        3  * 

For  heav'n  ordain'd  the  origin, 

Divines  declare,  of  pain  and  fin ; 

Prove  fuch  great  good  they  both  have  done  us, 

Kind  mercy  'twas  they  came  upon  us : 

For  without  pain  and  iln  and  folly 

Man  ne'er  were  bleft,  or  wife,  or  holy ; 

And  we  mould  thank  the  Lord,  'tis  fo, 

As  authors  grave  wrote  long  ago. 

Now  heav'n  its  iffues  never  brings 

Without  the  means,  and  thefe  are  kings ; 

And  he,  who  blames  when  they  announce  ills, 

Would  counteract  th'  eternal  counfels. 

As  when  the  Jews,  a  murm'ring  race, 

By  conftant  grumblings  fell  from  grace, 

Heav'n  taught  them  firft  to  know  their  diftance, 

By  famine,  flav'ry  and  Philiftines ; 

When  thefe  could  no  repentance  bring, 

In  wrath  it  fent  them  laft  a  king63: 

So  nineteen,  'tis  believ'd,  in  twenty 

Of  modern  kings  for  plagues  are  fent  you ; 

Nor  can  your  cavillers  pretend, 

But  that  they  anfwer  well  their  end. 

Tis 


•}8  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Tis  yours  to  yield  to  their  command, 

As  rods  in  Providence's  hand ; 

And  if  it  means  to  fend  you  pain, 

You  turn  your  nofes  up  in  vain ; 

Your  only  way's  in  peace  to  bear  it, 

And  make  neceffity  a  merit. 

Hence  fure  perdition  muft  await 

The  man,  who  rifes  'gainft  the  ftate, 

Who  meets  at  once  the  damning  fentence, 

Without  one  loophole  for  repentance ; 

E'en  tho'  he  'gain  the  royal  fee, 

And  rank  among  the  pow'rs  that  be  CT : 

For  hell  is  theirs,  the  fcripture  mows, 

Whoe'er  the  pow'rs  that  be  oppofe, 

And  all  thofe  pow'rs  (I  am  clear  that  'tis  fo) 

Are  damn'd  for  ever,  ex  officio. 

Thus  far  our  Clergy ;  but  'tis  true, 
We  lack'd  not  earthly  reaf'ners  too. 
Had  I  the  Poet's  brazen  lungs63 
As  found-board  to  his  hundred  tongues, 
I  could  not  half  the  fcriblers  mufter 

That  fwarm'd  round  Rivington  ra  in  cluftcr ; 

Aflcmblies, 


FIRST.]  THE    TOWN-MEETING,    A.   M.        39 

Aflemblies,  Councilmen,  forfooth ; 

Brufh70,  Cooper71,  Wilkins72,  Chandler73,  Booth74. 

Yet  all  their  arguments  and  fap'ence, 

You  did  not  value  at  three  halfpence. 

Did  not  our  MafTachufettenfis75 

For  your  conviftion  ftrain  his  fenfes  ? 

Scrawl  ev'ry  moment  he  could  fpare, 

From  cards  and  barbers  and  the  fair; 

Show,  clear  as  fun  in  noonday  heavens, 

You  did  not  feel  a  fingle  grievance ; 

Demonftrate  all  your  oppofition 

Sprung  from  the  eggs  of  foul  fedition ; 

Swear  he  had  feen  the  neft  fhe  laid  in, 

And  knew  how  long  fhe  had  been  fitting ; 

Could  tell  exa£l  what  flrength  of  heat  is 

Requir'd  to  hatch  her  out  Committees 7F; 

What  fhapes  they  take,  and  how  much  longer's 

The  fpace  before  they  grow  t'  a  Congrefs  ? 

New  whitewafh'd  Hutchinfon77  and  varnifh'd, 

Our  Gage,  who'd  got  a  little  tarnifh'd, 

Made  'em  new  mafks,  in  time  no  doubt, 

For  Hutchinfon's  was  quite  worn  out ; 

And 


4-O  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  L  :  [CANTO 

And  \vhilc  he  muddled  all  his  head 

You  did  not  heed  a  word  he  faid. 

Did  not  our  grave  Judge  Sewall78  hit 

The  fummit  of  news-paper  wit  ? 

FilPd  ev'ry  leaf  of  ev'ry  paper 

Of  Mills  and  Hicks79  and  mother  Draper80; 

Drew  proclamations,  works  of  toil, 

In  true  fublime  of  fcarecrow  flyle ; 

Wrote  farces  too,  'gainft  Sons  of  Freedom81, 

All  for  your  good,  and  none  would  read  'em ; 

Dcnounc'd  damnation  on  their  frenzy, 

Who  died  in  Whig-impenitency  ; 

Affirm'd  that  heav'n  would  lend  us  aid, 

As  all  our  Tory-writers  faid, 

And  calculated  fo  its  kindnefs, 

He  told  the  moment  when  it  join'd  us." 

"  'Twas  then  belike,  Honorius  cried, 
When  you  the  public  faft  defied  ^, 
RefuPd  to  heav'n  to  raife  a  prayer, 
Becaufe  you'd  no  connections  there ; 
And  fmce  with  rev'rent  hearts  and  faces 
To  Governors  you'd  make  addrefles, 

In 


FIRST.]  THE    TOWN-MEETING,    A.   M.       41 

In  them,  who  made  you  Tories,  feeing 
You  lived  and  mov'd  and  had  your  being  ; 
Your  humble  vows  you  would  not  breathe 
To  pow'rs  you'd  no  acquaintance  with." 

"  As  for  your  fafts,  replied  our  'Squire, 
What  circumftance  could  fafts  require ; 
We  kept  them  not,  but  'twas  no  crime ; 
We  held  them  merely  lofs  of  time. 
For  what  advantage  firm  and  lafting, 
Pray  did  you  ever  get  by  farting  ? 
And  what  the  gains  that  can  arife 
From  vows  and  offerings  to  the  fkies  ? 
Will  heav'n  reward  with  pofts  and  fees, 
Or  fend  us  Tea,  as  Confignees  ^ 
Give  penfions,  fal'ries,  places,  bribes, 
Or  chufe  us  judges,  clerks,  or  fcribes  ? 
Has  it  commiffions  in  its  gift, 
Or  cam,  to  ferve  us  at  a  lift  ? 
Are  acts  of  parliament  there  made, 
To  carry  on  the  placeman's  trade  ? 
Or  has  it  pafs'd  a  fmgle  bill 
To  let  us  plunder  whom  we  will  ? 

And 


4  2  M'FINGAL:  [CANTO 

And  look  our  lift  of  placemen  all  over ; 

Did  heav'n  appoint  bur  chief  judge,  Oliver84, 

Fill  that  high  bench  with  ignoramus, 

Or  has  it  councils  by  mandamus8"'? 

Who  made  that  wit  of  water-gruel8^, 

A  Judge  of  Admiralty,  Sewall  ? 

And  were  they  not  mere  earthly  ftruggles, 

That  raiPd  up  Murray s7,  fay,  and  Ruggles*"? 

Did  heav'n  fend  down,  our  pains  to  med'cine, 

That  old  fimplicity  of  Edfon89, 

Or  by  eleftion  pick  out  from  us, 

That  MarMeld  blund'rer  Nat.  Ray  Thomas90; 

Or  had  it  any  hand  in  ferving 

A  Loring91,  Pepp'rell9*,  Browne93,  or  Erving!"? 

Yet  we've  fome  faints,  the  very  thing, 
We'll  pit  againft  the  beft  you'll  bring 
For  can  the  ftrongeft  fancy  paint 
Than  Hutchinfon  a  greater  faint  ? 
Was  there  a  parfon  ufed  to  pray 
At  times  more  reg'lar  twice  a  day  ; 
"As  folb  exaft  have  dinners  got, 
Whether  they've  appetites  or  not  ? 

Was 


FIRST.]  THE   TOWN-MEETING,    A.M.      43 

Was  there  a  zealot  more  alarming 

'Gainft  public  vice  to  hold  forth  fermon, 

Or  fix'd  at  church,  whofe  inward  motion 

Roll'd  up  his  eyes  with  more  devotion  ? 

What  Puritan9'  could  ever  pray 

In  Godlier  tone,  than  treaf'rer  Gray96, 

Or  at  town-meetings  fpeechify'ng, 

Could  utter  more  melodious  whine, 

And  fhut  his  eyes  and  vent  his  moan, 

Like  owl  afflifted  in  the  fun  ? 

Who  once  fent  home  his  canting  rival, 

Lord  Dartmouth's97  felf,  might  outbedrivel." 

"  Have  you  forgot,  Honorius  cried, 
How  your  prime  faint  the  truth  defied, 
Affirm'd  he  never  wrote  a  line 
Your  charter'd  rights  to  undermine  ; 
When  his  own  letters  then  were  by, 
That  prov'd  his  meflage  all  a  lie98? 
How  many  promifes  he  feal'd, 
To  get  th'  oppreffive  afts  repeal'd, 
Yet  once  arriv'd  on  England's  more, 
Set  on  the  Premier  to  pafs  more99? 

But 


f  4  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  L  .  [CANTO 

But  these  are  no  defefts,  we  grant, 

In  a  right  loyal  Tory  faint, 

Whofe  godlike  virtues  muft  with  eafe 

Atone  fuch  venal  crimes  as  thefe : 

Or  ye  perhaps  in  fcripture  fpy 

A  new  commandment,  '  Thou  flialt  lie  ; ' 

And  if 't  be  fo  (as  who  can  tell  ?) 

There's  no  one  fure  ye  keep  fo  well." 

"  Quoth  he,  For  lies  and  promife-breaking 
Ye  need  not  be  in  fuch  a  taking ; 
For  lying  is,  we  know  and  teach, 
The  higheft  privilege  of  fpeech ; 
The  universal  Magna  Charta, 
To  which  all  human  race  is  party, 
Whence  children  firft,  as  David  fays, 
Lay  claim  to  't  in  their  earlieft  days ; 
The  only  ftratagem  in  war, 
Our  Gen'rals  have  occafion  for  ; 
The  only  freedom  of  the  prefs 
Our  politicians  need  in  peace  : 
And  'tis  a  fhame  you  wifh  t'  abridge  us 
Of  thefe  our  darling  privileges. 

Thank 


FIRST.]  THE   TOWN-MEETING,    A.M.     45 

Thank  heav'n,  your  (hot  have  mifs'd  their  aim, 
For  lying  is  no  fin,  or  Ihame. 

As  men  laft  wills  may  change  again, 
Tho'  drawn  in  name  of  God,  amen  ; 
Befure  they  muft  have  much  the  more, 
O'er  promifes  as  great  a  pow'r, 
Which  made  in  hafte,  with  fmall  infpcflion, 
So  much  the  more  will  need  correction ; 
And  when  they've  carelefs  fpoke,  or  penn'd  em, 
Have  right  to  look  'em  o'er  and  mend  'em  ; 
Revife  their  vows,  or  change  the  text, 
By  way  of  codicil  annex'd, 
Turn  out  a  promife,  that  was  bafe, 
And  put  a  better  in  its  place. 
So  Gage  of  late  agreed,  you  know, 
To  let  the  Bofton  people  go  ; 
Yet  when  he  faw  'gainft  troops  that  brav'd  him, 
They  were  the  only  guards  that  fav'd  him100. 
Kept  off  that  Satan  of  a  Putnam, 
From  breaking  in  to  maul  and  mutt'n  him101; 
He'd  too  much  wit  fuch  leagues  t'  obfcrve, 

And  (hut  them  in  again  to  ftarvc. 

So 


46  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  .  [CANTO 

So  Mofcs  writes,  when  female  Jews 
Made  oath?  and  vows  unfit  for  ule, 
Their  parents  then  might  fet  them  free 
From  that  confcientious  tyranny  m  : 
And  (hall  men  feel  that  fpir'tual  bondage 
Forever,  when  they  grow  beyond  age  ; 
Nor  have  pow'r  their  own  oaths  to  change  ? 
I  think  the  tale  were  very  ftrange. 
Shall  vows  but  bind  the  ftout  and  ftrong, 
And  let  go  women  weak  and  young, 
As  nets  enclofe  the  larger  crew, 
And  let  the  fmaller  fry  creep  thro'? 
Befides,  the  Whigs  have  all  been  fet  on, 
The  Tories  to  affright  and  threaten, 
Till  Gage  amidil  his  trembling  fits 
Has  hardly  kept  him  in  his  wits ; 
And  tho'  he  fpeak  with  art  and  finefle, 
Tis  faid  beneath  durefs  per  minas. 
For  we're  in  peril  of  our  fouls 
From  feathers,  tar  and  lib'rty-poles I03  : 
And  vows  extorted  are  not  binding 
fn  law,  and  fo  not  worth  tne  minding. 

Fo> 


FIRST.]  THE    TOWN -MEETING,    A.   M.        47 

For  we  have  in  this  hurly-burly 
Sent  off  our  confciences  on  furiow, 
Thrown  our  religion  o'er  in  foi  m  ; 
Our  fhip  to  lighten  in  the  ftorm. 
Nor  need  we  blufli  your  Whigs  befor: ; 
If  we've  no  virtue  you've  no  more. 

Yet  black  with  fins,  would  ftain  a  mitre, 
Rail  ye  at  crimes  by  ten  tints  whiter, 
And  ftuff'd  with  choler  atrabilious, 
Infuk  us  here  for  peccadilloes  ? 
While  all  your  vices  run  fo  high 
That  mercy  fcarce  could  find  fupply  : 
While  mould  you  offer  to  repent. 
You'd  need  more  falling  days  than  Lent, 
More  groans  than  haunted  churchyard  vallies3 
And  more  confeflions  than  broad-alleys 1C4. 
I'll  mow  you  all  at  fitter  time, 
The  extent  and  greatnefs  of  your  crime,  . 
And  here  demonftrate  to  your  face, 
Your  want  of  virtue,  as  of  grace, 
Evinced  from  topics  old  and  recent : 
But  thus  much  muft  fuflice  at  prefcnt. 

To 


48  M '  F  i  N  c  A  L  :  [CANTO 

To  th'  after-portion  of  the  day, 
I  fcave  what  more  remains  to  fay  ; 
When  I've  good  hope  you'll  all  appear, 
More  fitted  and  prepared  to  hear, 
And  gricv'd  for  all  your  vile  demeanour 
But  now  'tis  time  :'  adjourn  for  dinner." 


M'FINGAL : 
CANTO       SECOND, 

O  R 

THE  TOWN-MEETING,  P.  M. 

'  I  *HE  Sun,  who  never  flops  to  dine, 

Two  hours  had  pafs'd  the  midway  line, 
And  driving  at  his  ufual  rate, 
Lafh'd  on  his  downward  car  of  flate. 
And  now  expired  the  fhort  vacation, 
And  dinner  done  in  epic  fafhion ; 
While  all  the  crew  beneath  the  trees, 
Eat  pocket-pies,  or  bread  and  cheefe  ; 
Nor  {hall  we,  like  old  Homer  care 
To  verfify  their  bill  of  fare. 
For  now  each  party,  feafted  well, 
Throng'd  in,  like  fheep,  at  found  of  bell, 

With 


50  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  i.  :  [CANTO 

With  equal  fpirit  took  their  places  ; 
And  meeting  oped  with  three  Oh  yefles ' : 
When  firft  the  daring  Whigs  't  oppofe, 
Again  the  great  M'Fingal  rofe, 
Stretch'd  magifterial  arm  amain, 
And  thus  aflum'd  th'  accufing  ftrain. 

"  Ye  Whigs  attend,  and  hear  affrighted 
The  crimes  whereof  ye  ftand  indiftcd, 
The  fins  and  follies  paft  all  compafs, 
That  prove  you  guilty  or  non  compos. 
I  leave  the  verdict  to  your  fenfes, 
And  jury  of  your  confciences ; 
Which  tho'  they're  neither  good  nor  true, 
Muft  yet  convifl  you  and  your  crew. 
Ungrateful  fons !  a  fadlious  band, 
That  rife  againft  your  parent-land  ! 
Ye  viper'd  race,  that  burft  in  ftrife, 
The  welcome  womb,  that  gave  you  life, 
Tear  with  fharp  fangs  and  forked  tongue, 
Th'  indulgent  bowels,  whence  you  fprung  ; 
And  fcorn  the  debt  of  obligation 

You  juftly  owe  the  Britifli  nation, 

Which 


SECOND.]  THE   TOWN-MEETING,    p.  M.     51 

Which  fince  you  cannot  pay,  your  crew 
A  ffodl  to  fvvear.  'twas  never  due. 
Did  not  the  deeds  of  England's  Primate* 
Firft  drive  your  fathers  to  this  climate, 
Whom  jails  and  fines  and  ev'ry  ill 
Forc'd  to  their  good  againft  their  will  ? 
Ye  owe  to  their  obliging  temper 
The  peopling  your  newfangled  empire, 
While  ev'ry  Britifh  acl  and  canon 
Stood  forth  your  caufa  fine  qua  non. 
Did  they  not  fend  you  charters  o'er3, 
And  give  you  lands  you  own'd  before, 
Permit  you  all  to  fpill  your  blood, 
And  drive  out  heathen  where  you  could ; 
On  thefe  mild  terms,  that  conqueft  won, 
The  realm  you  gain'd  mould  be  their  own. 
Or  when  of  late  attack'd  by  thofe, 
Whom  her  connection  made  your  foes4, 
Did  they  not  then,  diftreft  in  war, 
Send  Gen'rals  to  your  help  from  far6, 
Whofe  aid  you  own'd  in  terms  lefs  haughty 

And  thankfully  o'erpaid  your  quota  ?  6 

Say 


32  M'FINGAL:  [CANTO 

Say,  at  what  period  did  they  grudge 
To  fend  you  Governor  or  Judge, 
With  all  their  miflionary  crew, 
To  teach  you  law  and  gofpel  too  ? 
Brought  o'er  all  felons  in  the  nation, 
To  help  you  on  in  population ; 
Propos'd  their  Bifhops  to  furrender, 
And  made  their  Priefts  a  legal  tender, 
Who  only  afk'd  in  furplice  clad, 
The  fimple  tythe  of  all  you  had7: 
And  now  to  keep  all  knaves  in  awe, 
Have  fcnt  their  troops  t'  eftablifh  law, 
And  with  gunpowder,  fire  and  ball, 
Reform  your  people  one  and  all. 
Yet  when  their  infolence  and  pride 
Have  anger'd  all  the  world  befide, 
When  fear  and  want  at  once  invade, 
Can  you  refufe  to  lend  them  aid  ; 
And  rather  rifque  your  heads  in  fight, 
Than  gratefully  throw  in  your  mite"? 
Can  they  for  debts  make  fatisfadlion, 

Should  they  difpofe  their  realm  by  auction ; 

And 


SECOND.]  THE  TOWN-MEETING,   P.M.     ^3 

And  fell  off  Britain's  goods  and  land  all 

To  France  and  Spain  by  inch  of  candle  ? 

Shall  good  king  George,  with  want  oppreft, 

Infer t  his  name  in  bankrupt  lift, 

And  fhut  up  fhop,  like  failing  merchant, 

That  fears  the  bailiffs  mould  make  fearch  in't ; 

With  poverty  mail  princes  ftrive, 

And  nobles  lack  whereon  to  live  ? 

Have  they  not  rack'd  their  whole  inventions, 

To  feed  their  brats  on  ports  and  pennons9, 

Made  ev'n  Scotch  friends  with  taxes  groan, 

And  pick'd  poor  Ireland  to  the  bone ; 

Yet  have  on  hand  as  well  deferving, 

Ten  thousand  baftards  left  for  ftarving  ? 

And  can  you  now  with  confcience  clear, 

Refufe  them  an  afylum  here, 

Or  not  maintain  in  manner  fitting 

These  genuine  fons  of  mother  Britain  10  ? 

T'  evade  thefe  crimes  of  blackeft  grain, 

You  prate  of  liberty  in  vain, 

And  ftrive  to  hide  your  vile  defigns, 

With  terms  abftrufe  like  fchool-di vines. 

Your 


54  M'FINGAL:  [CANTO 

Your  boafted  patriotifm  is  fcarce, 
And  country's  love  is  but  a  farce ; 
And  after  all  the  proofs  you  bring, 
We  Tories  know  there's  no  fuch  thing. 
Our  Englifh  writers  of  great  fame 
Prove  public  virtue  but  a  name. 
Hath  not  Dalrymple  n  fliow'd  in  print, 
And  Johnfon  12  too,  there's  nothing  in't  ? 
Produc'd  you  demonftration  ample 
From  other's  and  their  own  example, 
That  felf  is  ftill,  in  either  faftion, 
The  only  principle  of  adlion  j 
The  loadftone,  whofe  attracting  tether 
Keeps  the  politic  world  together : 
And  fpite  of  all  your  double-dealing, 
We  Tories  know  'tis  fo,  by  feeling. 

Who  heeds  your  babbling  of  tranfmitting 
Freedom  to  brats  of  your  begetting, 
Or  will  proceed  as  though  there  were  a  tie, 
Or  obligation  to  pofterity13? 
We  get  'em,  bear  'em,  breed  and  nurfe ; 
What  lias  pofter'ty  done  for  us, 

That 


SECOND.]  THE    TOWN -MEETING,    p.   M.      55 

That  we,  left  they  their  rights  fhould  lofe, 

Should  trull  our  necks  to  gripe  of  noofe  ? 

i 

And  who  believes  you  will  not  run  ? 

You're  cowards,  ev'ry  mother's  fon ; 

And  fhould  you  offer  to  deny, 

We've  witnefles  to  prove  it  by. 

Attend  th'  opinion  firft,  as  referee, 

Of  your  old  Gen'ral,  ftout  Sir  Jeffery14, 

Who  fwore  that  with  five  thoufand  foot 

He'd  rout  you  all,  and  in  purfuit, 

Run  thro'  the  land  as  eafily, 

As  camel  thro'  a  needle's  eye15. 

Did  not  the  valiant  Col'nel  Grant 

Againft  your  courage  make  his  flant, 

Affirm  your  univerfal  failure 

In  ev'ry  principle  of  valour, 

And  fwear  no  fcamp'rers  e'er  could  match  you, 

So  fwift,  a  bullet  fcarce  could  catch  you '"  ? 

And  will  ye  not  confefs  in  this, 

A  judge  moft  competent  he  is, 

Well  fkill'd  on  runnings  to  decide, 

As  what  himfelf  has  often  tried  ? 

Twould 


56  M  '  F  I  N  G  A  L  .  [CANTO 

'Twould  not  methinks  be  labour  loft, 
If  you'd  fit  down  and  count  the  coil ; 
And  ere  you  call  your  Yankies  out, 
Firft  think  what  work  you've  fet  about. 
Have  ye  not  rouz'd,  his  force  to  try  on, 
That  grim  old  beaft,  the  Britiih  lion? 
And  know  you  not  that  at  a  fup 
He's  large  enough  to  eat  you  up  ? 
Have  you  furvey'd  his  jaws  beneath, 
Drawn  inventories  of  his  teeth, 
Or  have  you  weigh'd  in  even  balance, 
His  ftrcngth  and  magnitude  of  talons  ? 
His  roar  would  turn  your  boafts  to  fear, 
As  eafily  as  four  fmall-beer ", 
And  make  your  feet  from  dreadful  fray, 
By  native  inilincl  run  away. 
Britain,  depend  on't  will  take  on  her 
T'  aflert  her  dignity  and  honor, 
And  ere  fhe'd  lofc  your  fhare  of  pelf, 
Deftroy  your  country  arid  hcrfelf. 
For  has  not  North  declar'd  they  fight 

To  gain  fubftantial  rcv'nue  by't 18, 

Denied 


SECOND.]  THE    TOWN-MEETING,  P.M.     57 

Denied  he'd  ever  deign  to  treat, 
Till  on  your  knees  and  at  his  feet  ? 
And  feel  you  not  a  trifling  ague, 
From  Van's  Delenda  eft  Carthago19? 
For  this,  now  Britain  has  come  to't. 
Think  you  me  has  not  means  to  do't  ? 
Has  me  not  fet  to  work  all  engines 
To  fpirit  up  the  native  Indians, 
Send  on  your  backs  a  favage  band, 
With  each  a  hatchet  in  his  hand, 
T'  amufe  themfelves  with  fcalping  knives, 
And  butcher  children  and  your  wives20; 
That  me  may  boaft  again  with  vanity, 
Her  Englifh  national  humanity  ? 
(For  now  in  its  primaeval  fenfe, 
This  term,  human'ty,  comprehends 
All  things  of  which,  on  this  fide  hell, 
The  human  mind  is  capable  ; 
And  thus  'tis  well,  by  writers  fage, 
Applied  to  Britain  and  to  Gage.) 
And  on  this  work  to  raife  allies, 
She  fent  her  duplicate  of  Guys, 

To 


58  M'FINGAL:  [CANTO 

To  drive,  at  different  parts  at  once,  on 
Her  ftout  Guy  Carlton  and  Guy  Johnfon21; 
To  each  of  whom,  to  fend  again  ye 
Old  Guy  of  Warwick  were  a  ninny92. 
Tho'  the  dun  cow  he  fell'd  in  war, 
Thefe  killcows  are  his  betters  far23. 

And  has  fhe  not  afTay'd  her  notes, 
To  rouze  your  flaves  to  cut  your  throats, 
Sent  o'er  ambafladors  with  guineas, 
To  bribe  your  blacks  in  Carolinas24? 
And  has  not  Gage,  her  miffionary 
Turn'd  many  an  Afric  (lave  t'  a  Tory, 
And  made  th'  Amer'can  bifhop's  fee  grow, 
By  many  a  new-converted  Negro25? 
As  friends  to  gov'rnment  did  not  he 
Their  flaves  at  Boilon  late  set  free ; 
Enlift  them  all  in  black  parade, 
Set  off  with  regimental  red26? 
And  were  they  not  accounted  then 
Among  his  very  braveft  men? 
And  when  fuch  means  fhe  {loops  to  take, 
Think  you  fhe  is  not  wide  awake  ? 

As 


SECOND.]  THE   TOWN-MEETING,    p.   M.     59 

As  Eliphaz'  good  man  in  Job 

Own'd  num'rous  allies  thro'  the  globe  ; 

Had  brought  the  ftones  along  the  ftrcet 

To  ratify  a  cov'nant  meet, 

And  ev'ry  bead  from  lice  to  lions, 

To  join  in  leagues  of  ftrift  alliance21: 

Has  me  not  cring'd,  in  fpite  of  pride, 

For  like  affistance  far  and  wide  ? 

Was  there  a  creature  fo  defpif'd, 

Its  aid  me  has  not  fought  and  priz'd  ? 

Till  all  this  formidable  league  rofc 

Of  Indians,  Britim  troops  and  Negroes28, 

And  can  you  break  thefe  triple  bands  « 

By  all  your  workmanfhip  of  hands  ?  " 

"  Sir,  quoth  Honorius,  we  prefume 
You  guefs  from  paft  feats,  what's  to  come. 
And  from  the  mighty  deeds  of  Gage, 
Foretell  how  fierce  the  war  he'll  wage. 
You  doubtlefs  recollefted  here 
The  annals  of  his  firft  great  year : 
While  wearying  out  the  Tories'  patience, 

He  fpent  his  breath  in  proclamations ; 

While 


60  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

While  all  his  mighty  noife  and  vapour 
Was  ufcd  in  wrangling  upon  paper; 
And  boafted  military  fits 
Clofed  in  the  {training  of  his  wits ; 
While  troops  in  Bofton  commons  plac'd  ** 
Laid  nought  but  quires  of  paper  wafte ; 

While  ftrokes  alternate  ftunn'd  the  nation, 

• 

Proteft,  addrefs  and  proclamation  ; 

And  fpeech  met  fpeech,  fib  clam'd  with  fib, 

And  Gage  ftill  anfwer'd,  fquib  for  fquib. 

Tho'  this  not  all  his  time  was  loft  on ; 
He  fortified  the  town  of  Bofton ; 
Built  brciftworks  that  might  lend  affiftance 
To  keep  the  patriots  at  a  diftance*0; 
(For  howfoe'er  the  rogues  might  fcofF, 
He  liked  them  bed  the  fartheft  ofF) 
Of  mighty  ufe  and  help  to  aid 
His  courage,  when  he  felt  afraid ; 
And  whence  right  off  in  manful  ftation, 
He'd  boldly  pop  his  proclamation. 
Our  hearts  muft  in  our  bofoms  freeze 
At  fuch  heroic  deeds  as  thefe." 

"  Vain 


SECOND.]  THE    TOWN -MEETING,    P.M.     6 1 

"  Vain,"  quoth  the  'Squire,  "you'll  find  to  fneer 
At  Gage's  firfl  triumphant  year ; 
For  Providence,  difpos'd  to  teaze  us, 
Can  ufe  what  inftruments  it  pleafes. 
To  pay  a  tax  at  Peter's  wifh, 
His  chief  cafhier  was  once  a  Fifh  n  ; 
An  Afs,  in  Balaam's  fad  difafter, 
Turn'd  orator  and  lav'd  his  mafter32; 
A  Goofe  plac'd  centry  on  his  ftation 
Preferv'd  old  Rome  from  defolation 33 ; 
An  Englifh  Bimop's  Cur  of  late 
Difclofed  rebellions  'gainft  the  ftate34; 
So  Frogs  croak'd  Pharaoh  to  repentance, 
And  Lice  rcvers'd  the  threat'ning  fentence35: 
And  heav'n  can  ruin  you  at  pleafure, 
By  our  fcorn'd  Gage,  as  well  as  Casfar. 
Yet  did  our  hero  in  thefe  days 
Pick  up  fome  laurel  wreaths  of  praife. 
And  as  the  ftatuary  of  Seville 
Made  his  crackt  faint  an  exc'llent  devil ; 
So  tho'  our  war  few  triumphs  brings, 
We  gain'd  great  fame  in  other  things. 

Did 


62  M  '  F  i  N  o  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Did  not  our  troops  {how  much  difccrning, 
And  fkill  your  various  arts  in  learning  ? 
Outwent  they  not  each  native  Noodle36 
By  far  in  playing  Yanky-doodle  ; 
Which,  as  'twas  your  New-England  tune, 
'Twas  marvellous  they  took  fo  foon37? 
And  ere  the  year  was  fully  thro', 
Did  not  they  learn  to  foot  it  too  ; 
And  fuch  a  dance  as  ne'er  was  known, 
For  twenty  miles  on  end  lead  down  ? 
Was  there  a  Yanky  trick  you  knew, 
They  did  not  play  as  well  as  you  ? 
Did  they  not  lay  their  heads  together, 
And  gain  your  art  to  tar  and  feather, 
When  Col'nel  Nefbitt  thro'  the  town, 
In  triumph  bore  the  country-clown  ? 
Oh,  what  a  glorious  work  to  fing 
The  vet'ran  troops  of  Britain's  king, 
Advent'rmg  for  th'  heroic  laurel, 
With  bag  of  feathers  and  tar-barrel ! 
To  paint  the  cart  where  culprits  ride, 
And  Nefbitt  marching  at  its  fide, 

Great 


SECOND.]  THE    TOWN-MEETING,  p.   M.      63 

Great  executioner  and  proud, 
Like  hangman  high  on  Holbourn  road ; 
And  o'er  the  bright  triumphal  car 
The  waving  enfigns  of  the  war38! 
As  when  a  triumph  Rome  decreed, 
For  great.  Calig'la's  valiant  deed, 
Who  had  fubdued  the  Britim  feas, 
By  gath'ring  cockles  from  their  bafew; 
In  pompous  car  the  conqu'ror  bore 
His  captiv'd  fcallops  from  the  fhore, 
Ovations  gain'd  his  crabs  for  fetching, 
And  mighty  feats  of  oyfler-catching  • 
O'er  Yankies  thus  the  war  begun, 
They  tarr'd  and  triumph'd  over  one  . 
And  fought  and  boafted  thro'  the  fec,fon, 
With  might  as  great,  and  equal  realbn. 

Yet  thus,  tho'  fkill'd  in  vift'ry's  toils, 
They  boaft,  not  unexpert,  in  wiles. 
For  gain'd  they  not  an  equal  fame  in 
The  arts  of  fecrecy  and  fcheming  ? 
In  ftratagems  fhow'd  mighty  force, 
And  moderniz'd  the  Trojan  horfe, 

Play'd 


64.  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Play'd  o'er  again  thofe  tricks  Ulyflean, 
In  their  fam'd  Salem-expedition  ? 
For  as  that  horfe,  the  Poets  tell  ye, 
Bore  Grecian  armies  in  his  belly ; 
Till  their  full  reck'ning  run,  with  joy 
Their  Sinon  midwif'd  them  in  Troy40: 
So  in  one  fhip  was  Leslie41  bold 
Cramm'd  with  three  hundred  men  in  ho!df 
Equipp'd  for  enterprize  and  fail, 
Like  Jonas  ftow'd  in  womb  of  whale. 
To  Marblehead"  in  depth  of  night, 
The  cautious  veflel  wing'd  her  flight. 
And  now  the  fabbath's  filent  day 
Call'd  all  your  Yankies  off  to  pray  ; 
Rcmov'd  each  prying  jealous  neighbour, 
The  fcheme  and  veflel  fell  in  labour  j 
Forth  from  its  hollow  womb  pour'd  haft'ly 
The  Myrmidons  of  Col'nel  Leflie : 
Not  thicker  o'er  the  blackcn'd  ftrand 
The  frogs'  detachment  rufh'd  to  land, 
Equipp'd  by  onfet  or  furprize 
To  ftorm  th'  entrenchment  of  the  mice41. 

Thro' 


SECOND.]  THE    TOWN-MEETING,  p.   M.      65 

Thro'  Salem  ftrait  without  delay,    . 
The  bold  battalion  took  its  way, 
March'd  o'er  a  bridge  in  open  Tight 
Of  fev'ral  Yankies  arm'd  for  fight, 
Then  without  lofs  of  time,  or  men 
Veer'd  round  for  Bofton  back  again ; 
And  found  fo  well  their  projects  thrive, 
That  ev'ry  foul  got  home  alive44. 

Thus  Gage's  arms  did  fortune  blefs 
With  triumph,  fafety  and  fuccess : 
But  mercy  is  without  difpute 
His  firfr.  and  darling  attribute ; 
So  great  it  far  outwent  and  conquer'd 
His  military  fkill  at  Concord45. 
There  when  the  war  he  chofe  to  wage 
Shone  the  benevolence  of  Gage  ; 
Sent  troops  to  that  iil-omen'd  place 
On  errands  meer  of  fpecial  grace. 
And  all  the  work  he  chofe  them  for 
Was  to  prevent  a  civil  war46: 
And  for  that  purpofe  he  projected 
The  only  certain  way  t'  eiFeft  it, 

To 


66  M  '  F  i  N  c,  A  L  :  [CANTO 

To  take  your  powder,  ftores  and  arms, 

And  all  your  means  of  doing  harms: 

As  prudent  folks  take  knives  away, 

Left  children  cut  themfclvcs  at  play. 

And  yet  tho'  this  was  all  his  fcheme, 

This  war  you  (till  will  charge  on  him  ; 

And  tho'  he  oft  has  fworc  and  faid  it, 

Stick  clofe  to  fads  and  give  no  credit. 

Think  you,  he  wifh'd  you'd  brave  and  beard  him  ? 

Why,  'twas  the  very  thing  that  fcar'd  him. 

He'd  rather  you  mould  all  have  run, 

Than  ftay'd  to  fire  a  {ingle  gun. 

And  for  the  civil  war  you  lament, 

Faith,  you  yourfelves  muft  take  the  blame  in't ; 

For  had  you  then,  as  he  intended, 

Giv'n  up  your  arms,  it  mult  have  ended. 

Since  that's  no  war,  each  mortal  knows, 

Where  one  fide  only  gives  the  blows, 

And  th'  other  bears  'em ;  on  reflection 

The  moft  you'll  call  it  is  correftion. 

Nor  could  the  conteft  have  gone  higher, 

If  you  had  ne'er  return 'd  the  fire  ; 

But 


SECOND.]  THE    TOWN-MEETING,    p.    M.     67 

But  when  you  fhot,  and  not  before, 
It  then  commenc'd  a  civil  war47. 
Elfe  Gage,  to  end  this  controverfy, 
Had  but  corrected  you  in  mercy  : 
Whom  mother  Britain  old  and  wife, 
Sent  o'er,  the  Col'nies  to  chaftise ; 
Command  obedience  on  their  peril 
Of  minifterial  whip  and  ferule  ; 
And  fmce  they  ne'er  muft  come  of  age, 
Govern'd  and  tutor'd  them  by  Gage. 
Still  more,  that  this  was  all  their  errand, 
The  army's  conduft  makes  apparent. 
What  tho'  at  Lexington  you  can  fay 
They  kill'd  a  few  they  did  not  fancy, 
At  Concord  then,  with  manful  popping, 
Discharg'd  a  round  the  ball  to  open  ? 
Yet  when  they  faw  your  rebel-rout 
Determin'd  ftill  to  hold  it  out ; 
Did  they  not  Ihow  their  love  to  peace, 
And  wifh,  that  difcord  nrait  might  ceafe, 
Demonftrate,  and  by  proofs  uncommon, 
Their  orders  were  to  injure  no  man? 

For 


68  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

For  did  not  cv'ry  Rcg'lar  run 
As  foon  as  e'er  you  fir'd  a  gun43; 
Take  the  first  fhot  you  fent  them  greeting, 
As  meant  their  fignal  for  retreating; 
And  fearful  if  they  ftaid  for  fport, 
You  might  by  accident  be  hurt, 
Convey  themselves  with  fpecd  away 
Full  twenty  miles  in  half  a  day49; 
Race  till  their  legs  were  grown  fo  weary, 
They'd  fcarce  fufiice  their  weight  to  carry  ? 
Whence  Gage  extols,  from  gcn'ral  hearfay, 
The  great  acliv'ty  of  Lord  Piercy50; 
Whofc  brave  example  led  them  on, 
And  fpirited  the  troops  to  run ; 
And  now  may  boaft  at  royal  levees 
A  Yanky-chase  worth  forty  Chevys51. 
Yet  you  as  vile  as  they  were  kind, 
Purfucd,  like  tygers,  ftill  behind, 
Fir'd  on  them  at  your  will,  and  fhut 
The  town,  as  tho'  you'd  ftarve  them  out ; 
And  with  parade  prepoft'rous  hcdg'd 

Affecl:  to  hold  them  there  bcfieg'd"; 

(Tho' 


SECOND.]  THE   TOWN-MEETING,  P.M.     69 

(Tho'  Gage,  whom  proclamations  call 

Your  Gov'rnor  and  Vice-Admiral, 

Whofe  pow'r  gubernatorial  ftill 

Extends  as  far  as  Bunker's  hill ; 

Whofe  admiralty  reaches  clever, 

Near  half  a  mile  up  Myftic  river53, 

Whofe  naval  force  commands  the  feas, 

Can  run  away  when'er  he  pleafe) 

Scar'd  troops  of  Tories  into  town, 

And  burnt  their  hay  and  houfes  down, 

And  menac'd  Gage,  unlefs  he'd  flee, 

To  drive  him  headlong  to  the  fea"; 

As  once,  to  faithless  Jews  a  fign, 

The  de'el,  turn'd  hog-reeve,  did  the  fwine15. 

Bjat  now  your  triumphs  all  are  o'er ; 
For  fee  from  Britain's  angry  more 
With  mighty  hofts  of  valour  join 
Her  Howe,  her  Clinton  and  Burgoyne56. 
As  comets  thro'  the  affrighted  fkies 
Pour  baleful  ruin,  as  they  rife57; 
As  ^Etna  with  infernal  roar 
In  conflagration  fweeps  the  more ; 

Or 


7o  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  i.  :  [CANTO 

Or  as  Abijah  White  when  fent 

Our  Marfhfield  friends  to  reprefent, 

Himfelf  while  dread  array  involves, 

Commiffions,  piftols,  fwords,  refolves, 

In  awful  pomp  defcending  down, 

Bore  terror  on  the  factious  town58: 

Not  with  lefs  glory  and  affright, 

Parade  thefe  Gen'rals  forth  to  fight. 

No  more  each  Rcg'lar  Col'ncl  runs 

From  whizzing  beetles,  as  air-guns, 

Thinks  hornbugs  bullets,  or  thro'  fears 

Mufkitoes  takes  for  mufketeers ; 

Nor  'fcapes,  as  tho'  you'd  gain'd  allies 

From  Belzebub's  whole  hoft  of  flies. 

No  bug  their  warlike  hearts  appalls ; 

They  better  know  the  found  of  balls69. 

I  hear  the  din  of  battle  bray, 

The  trump  of  horror  marks  its  way. 

I  see  afar  the  fack  of  cities, 

The  gallows  ftrung  with  Whig-committees sn; 

Your  Moderators  triced,  like  vermin, 

And  gate-ports  graced  with  heads  of  Chairmen ; 

Youi 


SECOND.]  THE    TOWN -MEETING,   p.   M.     71 

Your  Gen'rals  for  wave-ofPrings  hanging61, 

And  ladders  throng'd  with  Priefts  haranguing. 

What  pill'ries  glad  the  Tories'  eyes 

With  patriot-ears  for  facrifice  ! 

What  whipping-pofts  your  chofen  race 

Admit  fucceffive  in  embrace6'2, 

While  each  bears  off  his  crimes,  alack ! 

Like  Bunyan's  pilgrim,  on  his  back63; 

Where  then,  when  Tories  fcarce  get  clear, 

Shall  Whigs  and  Congrefles  appear  ? 

What  rocks  and  mountains  mail  you  call 

To  wrap  you  over  with  their  fall, 

And  fave  your  heads  in  thefe  fad  weathers, 

From  fire  and  fword,  and  tar  and  feathers ! 

For  lo,  with  Britifh  troops  tarbright, 

Again  our  Nefbitt  heaves  in  fight ! 

He  comes,  he  comes,  your  lines  to  ftorm, 

And  rig  your  troops  in  uniform64! 

To  meet  fuch  heroes,  will  ye  brag, 

With  fury  arm'd,  and  feather-bag; 

Who  wield  their  miffile  pitch  and  tar, 

With  engines  new  in  Britifh  war  ? 

Lo 


•72  M'FINGAL:  [CANTO 

Lo,  where  our  mighty  navy  brings 
Deftruction  on  her  canvas-wings65, 
While  thro'  the  deeps  her  potent  thunder, 
Shall  found  th'  alarm  to  rob  and  plunder ! 
As  Phoebus  firit,  fo  Homer  fpeaks, 
When  he  march'd  out  t'  attack  the  Greeks66, 
'Gainft  mules  fent  forth  his  arrows  fatal, 
And  flew  th'  auxiliaries,  their  cattle ; 
So  where  our  mips  mall  ftrctch  the  keel, 
What  conquer'd  oxen  fhall  they  fteal ! 
What  heroes  rifing  from  the  deep 
Invade  your  marfliall'd  hofts  of  fhcep  ! 
Difperfc  whole  troops  of  horfc,  and  preffing, 
Make  cows  furrender  at  difcretion ; 
Attack  your  hens,  like  Alexanders, 
And  reg'mcnts  rout  of  geefe  and  ganders ; 
Or  where  united  arms  combine 
Lead  captive  many  a  herd  of  fwine 6T ! 
Then  rum  in  dreadful  fury  down 
To  fire  on  ev'ry  feaport  town ; 
Difplay  their  glory  and  their  wits, 
Fright  unarm'd  children  into  fits, 

And 


SECOND.]  THE    TOWN- MEETING,   p.   M.     73 

And  ftoutly  from  th'  unequal  fray, 

Make  many  a  woman  run  awayss! 

And  can  ye  doubt  whene'er  we  pleafe 

Our  chiefs  mall  boaft  fuch  deeds  as  thefe  ? 

Have  we  not  chiefs  tranfcending  far, 

The  old  fam'd  thunderbolts  of  war ; 

Beyond  the  brave  romantic  fighters, 

Stiled  fwords  of  death  by  novel- writers? 

Nor  in  romancing  ages  e'er  rofe 

So  terrible  a  tier  of  heroes. 

From  Gage,  what  flames  fright  the  waves ! 

How  loud  a  blunderbufs  is  Graves69! 

How  Newport  dreads  the  bluitring  fallies, 

That  thunder  from  our  popgun,  Wallace, 

While  noife  in  formidable  ftrains 

Spouts  from  his  thimble-full  of  brains70! 

I  fee  you  fink  with  aw'd  iurprize ! 

I  fee  our  Tory-brethren  rife  ! 

And  as  the  fecYries  Sandemanian, 

Our  friends  defcribe  their  wifli'd  Millennium  " ; 

Tell  how  the  world  in  ev'ry  region 

Ar  once  mall  own  their  true  religion  j 

For 


74  M  '  F  i  N  n  *  L  :  [CANTO 

For  heav'n  with  plagues  of  awful  dread. 
Shall  knock  all  heretics  o'  th'  head ; 
And  then  their  church,  the  meek  in  fpirit, 
The  earth,  as  promif'd,  fhall  inherit, 
From  the  dead  wicked,  as  heirs  male, 
And  next  remainder-men  in  tail  : 
Such  ruin  fhall  the  Whigs  opprefs ! 
Such  fpoils  our  Tory  friends  fhall  blefs ! 
While  Confifcation  at  command  '* 
Shall  ftalk  in  horror  thro'  the  land, 
Shall  give  your  Whig-cftates  away, 
And  call  our  brethren  into  play. 

And  can  ye  doubt  or  fcruple  more, 
Thefe  things  are  near  you  at  the  door  ? 
Behold  !  for  tho'  to  rcaf'ning  blind, 
Signs  of  the  times  ye  fure  might  mind, 
\nd  view  impending  fate  as  plain 
As  ye'd  foretell  a  fhow'r  of  rain. 

Hath  not  heav'n  warn'd  you  what  muft  enfue, 
And  Providence  declar'd  againlr.  you ; 

Hung 


SECOND.]  THE   TOWN-MEETING,  p.  M.       75 

Hung  forth  its  dire  portents  of  war, 

By  figns  and  beacons  in  the  air 13 ; 

Alarm'd  old  women  all  around 

By  fearful  noifes  under  ground  ; 

While  earth  for  many  dozen  leagues 

Groan'd  with  her  difmal  load  of  Whigs  ? 

Was  there  a  meteor  far  and  wide 

But  mufter'd  on  the  Tory-lide  ? 

A  ftar  malign  that  has  not  bent 

Its  afpefts  for  the  Parliament, 

Foreboding  your  defeat  and  mifery ; 

As  once  they  fought  againft  old  Sifera 74  ? 

Was  there  a  cloud  that  fpread  the  fkies, 

But  bore  our  armies  of  allies  ? 

While  dreadful  hofts  of  fire  ftood  forth 

'Mid  baleful  glimm'rings  from  the  North ; 

Which  plainly  mows  which  part  they  join'd, 

For  North's  the  minifter,  ye  mind ; 

Whence  oft  your  quibblers  in  gazettes 

On  Northern  blafts  have  ftrain'd  their  wits 7" ; 

And  think  ye  not  the  clouds  know  how 

To  make  the  pun  as  well  as  you  ? 

Did 


76  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Did  there  arife  an  apparition, 

But  grinn'd  forth  ruin  to  fedition  ? 

A  death-watch,  but  has  join'd  our  leagues, 

And  click'd  deftrudlion  to  the  Whigs  ? 

Heard  ye  not,  when  the  wind  was  fair, 

At  night  our  or'tors  in  the  air, 

That,  loud  as  admiralty-libel, 

Read  awful  chapters  from  the  bible, 

And  death  and  deviltry  denounc'd, 

And  told  you  how  you'd  foon  be  trounc'd  ? 

I  fee  to  join  our  conqu'ring  fide 

Heav'n,  earth  and  hell  at  once  allied  ! 

See  from  your  overthrow  and  end 

The  Tories  paradife  afcend ; 

Like  that  new  world  that  claims  its  ftation 

Beyond  the  final  conflagration  ! 

I  fee  the  day  that  lots  your  Ihare 

In  utter  darknefs  and  defpair ; 

The  day  of  joy,  when  North,  our  Lord, 

His  faithful  fav'rites  mail  reward  ! 

No  Tory  then  (hall  fet  before  him 

Small  wilh  of  'Squire,  or  Juftice  Quorum ; 

But 


SECOND.]  THE    TOWN-MEETING,  P.M.     77 

But  'fore  his  unmiftaken  eyes 

See  Lordfhips,  ports  and  penfions  rife. 

Awake  to  gladnefs  then,  ye  Tories, 

Th'  unbounded  profpecl  lies  before  us  ? 

The  pow'r  difplay'd  in  Gage's  banners 

Shall  cut  Amcr'can  lands  to  manors, 

And  o'er  our  happy  conquer'd  ground 

Difpenfe  eftates  and  titles  round. 

Behold,  the  world  fhall  flare  at  new  fetts 

Of  home-made  earls  in  Maflachufetts  ''* ; 

Admire,  array'd  in  ducal  taffcls, 

Your  Ol'vers,  Hutchinfons  and  Vaffals "  ; 

See  join'd  in  miniftcrial  work 

His  grace  of  Albany  and  York l8 ! 

What  Lordfhips  from  each  carv'd  efiatc, 

On  our  New- York  AfTembly  wait ! 

What  titled  Jauncys™,  Gales80  and  Billops81 ; 

Lord  Brufh82,  Lord  Wilkins83  and  Lord  Philips84! 

In  wide-fleev'd  pomp  of  godly  guife, 

What  folemn  rows  of  bifhops  rife  ! 

Aloft  a  card'nal's  hat  is  fpread 

O'er  punfter  Cooper's 85  rev'rend  head ! 

In 


78  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

In  Vardell 8R,  that  poetic  zealot, 
I  view  a  lawn-bedizen'd  prelate ! 
While  mitres  fall,  as  'tis  their  duty, 
On  heads  of  Chandler  and  Auchmuty 8T ! 
Knights,  vifcounts,  barons  fhall  ye  meet 
As  thick  as  pavements  in  the  llrcet ! 
Ev'n  I  perhaps,  heav'n  fpeed  my  claim, 
Shall  fix  a  Sir  before  my  name. 
For  titles  all  our  foreheads  ache  ; 
For  what  bleft  changes  can  they  make! 
Place  rev'rence,  grace  and  excellence 
Where  neither  claim'd  the  leaft  pretence  ; 
Transform  by  patent's  magic  words 
Men,  likcft  devils,  into  Lords ; 
Whence  commoners  to  peers  tranflated 
Are  justly  laid  to  be  created88! 
Now  where  commiffioners  ye  faw 
Shall  boards  of  nobles  deal  you  law  ! 
Long-robed  comptrollers  judge  your  rig  its, 
And  tide-waiters  ftart  up  in  knights  ! 
While  Whigs  fubdued  in  flavifli  awe, 
Our  wood  (hall  hew,  our  water  draw, 

And 


SECOND.]  THE    TOWN-MEETING,    p.   M.      79 

And  blcfs  that  mildnefs,  when  paft  hope, 
Which  fav'd  their  necks  from  noofe  of  rope. 
For  as  to  gain  afliitance  we 
Defign  their  Negroes  to  fet  free ; 
For  Whigs,  when  we  enough  fhall  bang  'cm, 
Perhaps  'tis  better  not  to  hang  'em ; 
Except  their  chiefs ;   the  vulgar  knaves 
Will  do  more  good  preferv'd  for  flaves." 

"  'Tis  well,  Honorius  cried,  your  fchcme 
Has  painted  out  a  pretty  dream. 
We  can't  confute  your  fecond  fight ; 
We  {hall  be  flaves  and  you  a  knight : 
Thefe  things  muft  come  ;  but  I  divine 
They'll  come  not  in  your  day,  or  mine. 
But  oh,  my  friends,  my  brethren,  hear, 
And  turn  for  once  th'  attentive  ear. 
Ye  fee  how  prompt  to  aid  our  woes, 
The  tender  mercies  of  our  foes ; 
Ye  fee  with  what  unvaried  rancour 
Still  for  our  blood  their  minions  hanker, 
Nor  aught  can  fate  their  mad  ambition, 
From  us,  but  death,  or  worfc,  fubmiffion. 

Shall 


8o  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Shall  thefc  then  riot  in  our  fpoil, 
Reap  the  glad  harveft  of  nur  toil, 
Rifj  from  their  country's  ruin  proud, 
And  roll  their  chariot  wheels  in  blood  ? 
And  can  ye  flecp  while  high  outfpread 
Hangs  defolation  o'er  your  head  ? 
See  Gage  with  inaufpicious  ftar 
Has  oped  the  gates  of  civil  war ; 
When  ftreams  of  gore  from  freemen  flain, 
Encrimfon'd  Concord's  fatal  plain  ; 
Whofe  warning  voice  with  awful  found, 
Still  cries,  like  Abel's  from  the  ground, 
And  heav'n,  attentive  to  its  call, 
Shall  doom  the  proud  oppreffbr's  fall". 

Rife  then,  ere  ruin  fwift  furprize, 
To  victory,  to  vengeance  rife  ! 
Hark,  how  the  diltant  din  alarms ! 
The  echoing  trumpet  breathes,  to  arms ; 
From  provinces  remote,  afar, 
The  fons  of  glory  rouze  to  war ; 
'Tis  freedom  calls;  th'  enraptur'd  found 
The  Apalachian  hills  rebound90; 

The 


SECOND.]    THE     TOWN -MEETING,    P  .     M  .          8  I 

The  Georgian  fhores  her  voice  fhall  hear91, 
And  ftart  from  lethargies  of  fear. 
From  the  parch'd  zone,  with  glowing  ray, 
Where  pours  the  fun  intenfer  day, 
To  mores  where  icy  waters  roll, 
And  tremble  to  the  dufky  pole, 
Infpir'd  by  freedom's  heav'nly  charms, 
United  nations  wake  to  arms. 
The  ftar  of  conqueft  lights  their  way, 
And  guides  their  vengeance  on  their  prey- 
Yes,  tho'  tyrannic  force  oppofe, 
Still  fhall  they  triumph  o'er  their  foes, 
Till  heav'n  the  happy  land  fhall  blefs, 
With  fafety,  liberty  and  peace. 

And  ye  whofe  fouls  of  daftard  mould 
Start  at  the  brav'ry  of  the  bold ; 
To  love  your  country  who  pretend, 
Yet  want  all  fpirit  to  defend  ; 
Who  feel  your  fancies  fo  prolific, 
Engend'ring  vifion'd  whims  terrific, 
O'er-run  with  horrors  of  coercion, 
Fire,  blood  and  thunder 'in  reverfion, 

King'.* 


82  M  '  F  i  N  o  A  i.  :  [CANT( 

King's  ftandards,  piU'ries,  confifcations, 
And  Gage's  fcarecrow  proclamations92, 
With  all  the  trumpery  of  fear  j 
Hear  bullets  whizzing  in  your  rear  ; 
Who  fcarce  could  rouze,  if  caught  in  fray, 
Prefence  of  mind  to  run  away  ; 
See  nought  but  halters  rife  to  view 
In  all  your  dreams  (and  dreams  are  true); 
And  while  thefe  phantoms  haunt  your  brains, 
Bow  down  the  willing  neck  to  chains ; 
Heav'ns !  are  ye  fons  of  fires  fo  great, 
Immortal  in  the  fields  of  fate, 
Who  brav'd  all  deaths  by  land  or  fea, 
Who  bled,  who  conquer'd  to  be  free ! 
Hence,  coward  fouls,  the  word  difgrace 
Of  our  forefathers'  valiant  race  ; 
Hie  homeward  from  the  glorious  fi.ki  ; 
"There  turn  the  wheel,  the  diftaff  wield  ; 
Aft  what  ye  are,  nor  dare  to  ftain 
The  warrior's  arms  with  touch  profane  : 
There  beg  your  more  heroic  wives 
To  guard  your  children  and  your  lives ; 

Beneath 


SECOND.]  THE   TOWN-MEETING,  P.M.     83 

Beneath  their  apj-ons  find  a  fcreen, 
Nor  dare  to  mingle  more  with  men." 

As  thus  he  laid,  the  Tories'  anger 
Could  now  rcitrain  itfelf  no  longer, 
Who  tried  before  by  many  a  freak,  or 
Infulting  noife,  to  Hop  the  fpeaker ; 
Swung  th'  unoil'd  hinge  of  each  pew-door ; 
Their  feet  kept  muffling  on  the  floor  ; 
Made  their  disapprobation  known 
By  many  a  murmur,  hum  and  groan, 
That  to  his  fpeech  fupplied  the  place 
Of  counterpart  in  thorough-bafe  : 
As  bag-pipes,  while  the  tune  they  breathe, 
Still  drone  and  grumble  underneath  ; 
Or  as  the  fam'd  Demofthenes 
Harangued  the  rumbling  of  the  feas, 
Held  forth  with  eloquence  full  grave 
To  audience  loud  of  wind  and  wave93; 
And  had  a  ftiller  congregation 
Than  Tories  are  to  hear  th'  oration. 
But  now  the  ftorm  grew  high  and  louder 
As  nearer  thunderings  of  a  cloud  are, 

And 


84  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

And  ev'ry  foul  with  heart  and  voice    * 

Supplied  his  quota  of  the  noife ; 

Each  liilcning  ear  was  fet  on  torture 

Each  Tory  bell'wing  out,  to  order  ; 

And  fome,  with  tongue  not  low  or  weak, 

Were  clam'ring  faft,  for  leave  to  fpeak ; 

The  moderator,  with  great  vi'lence, 

The  cufhion  thump'd  with  "  Silence,  filence  ;  " 

The  conftable  to  ev'ry  prater 

Bawl'd  out,  "  Pray  hear  the  moderator94;  " 

Some  call'd  the  vote,  and  fome  in  turn 

Were  fcreaming  high,  "  Adjourn,  adjotfrn  :  " 

Not  chaos  heard  fuch  jars  and  clafhcs 

When  all  the  el'ments  fought  for  places. 

Each  bludgeon  foon  for  blows  was  tim'd ; 

Each  fist  flood  ready  cock'd  and  prim'd ; 

The  ftorm  each  moment  louder  grew  ; 

His  fword  the  great  M'Fingal  drew, 

Prcpar'd  in  either  chance  to  (hare, 

To  keep  the  peace,  or  aid  the  war. 

Nor  lack'd  they  each  poetic  being, 

Whom  bards  alone  are  flcili'd  in  feeing ; 

Plum'd 


SECOND.]  THE   TOWN-MEETING,    P.M.     85 

Plum'd  Viftory  flood  perch'd  on  high, 

Upon  the  pulpit-canopy95. 

To  join,  as  is  her  cuftom  tried, 

Like  Indians,  on  the  ftrongeft  fide  ; 

The  Deftinies  with  (hears  and  diftafF, 

Drew  near  their  threads  of  life  to  twifl  off96; 

The  Furies  'gan  to  feaft  on  blows97, 

And  broken  heads  or  bloody  nofe ; 

When  on  a  fudden  from  without 

Arofe  a  loud  terrific  fhout ; 

And  ftrait  the  people  all  at  once  heard 

Of  tongues  an  univerfal  concert : 

Like  ^Efop's  times,  as  fable  runs, 

When  ev'ry  creature  talk'd  at  once9*, 

Or  like  the  variegated  gabble 

That  craz'd  the  carpenters  of  Babel". 

Each  party  foon  forgot  the  quarrel, 

And  let  the  other  go  on  parole ; 

Eager  to  know  what  fearful  matter 

Had  conjur'd  up  fuch  gen'ral  clatter ; 

And  left  the  church  in  thin  array, 

As  tho'  it  had  been  ledlure-day  10°. 

Oui 


86  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Our  'Squire  M'Fingal  Itraitway  beckon'd 
The  conftable  to  ftand  his  fecond, 
And  Tallied  forth  with  afpeft  fierce 
The  crowd  aflembled  to  difperfe. 
The  moderator  out  of  view 
Beneath  a  bench  had  lain  perdue; 
Peep'd  up  his  head  to  view  the  fray, 
Beheld  the  wranglers  run  away, 

And  left  alone  with  folemn  face, 

• 
Adjourn'd  them  without  time  or  place. 


END    OF    CANTO    SECOND 


-  -  '•  - 
mm  Bs 

^^:f.'. 


M'FINGAL  : 
CANTO        THIRD 

O  R 

THE  LIBERTY  POLE. 

"VTOW  arm'd  with  minifterial  ire, 

Fierce  Tallied  forth  our  loyal  'Squire, 
And  on  his  ftriding  fteps  attends, 
His  defp'rate  clan  of  Tory  friends; 
When  fudden  met  his  angry  eye, 
A  pole  afcending  thro'  the  fky, 
Which  num'rous  throngs  of  Whiggifh  race 
Were  railing  in  the  market-place  '  ; 
Not  higher  fchool-boys  kites  afpire, 
Or  royal  mail  or  country  fpire, 
Like  fpears  at  Brobdignagian  tilting2, 
Or  Satan's  walking-ftafF  in  Milton11; 


And 


88  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  L  :  [CANTO 

And  on  its  top  the  flag  unfurl'd, 
Waved  triumph  o'er  the  proftratc  world, 
Infcribed  with  inconfiftent  types 
Of  liberty  and  thirteen  ftripes4. 
Beneath,  the  croud  without  delay, 
The  dedication-rites  eiTay, 
And  gladly  pay  in  antient  fafhion, 
The  ceremonies  of  libation ; 
While  brifkly  to  each  patriot  lip 
Walks  eager  round  th'  infpiring  flip6: 
Delicious  draught,  whofe  pow'rs  inherit 
The  quinteflencc  of  public  fpirit ! 
Which  whofo  taftes,  perceives  his  mind 
To  nobler  politics  refined, 
Or  rouz'd  for  martial  controverfy, 
As  from  transforming  cups  of  Circe"; 
Or  warm'd  with  Homer's  neclar'd  liquor, 
That  fill'd  the  veins  of  gods  with  ichor7. 
At  hand  for  new  fupplies  in  ftore, 
The  tavern  opes  its  friendly  door, 
Whence  to  and  fro  the  waiters  run, 
Like  bucket-men  at  fires  in  town*. 

Then 


THIRD.]          THE    LIBERTY    POLE.  89 

Then  with  three  fhouts  that  tore  the  fky, 
'Tis  confecrate  to  Liberty  ; 
To  guard  it  from  th'  attacks  of  Tories, 
A  grand  committee  cull'd  of  four  is, 
Who  foremoft  on  the  patriot  fpot, 
Had  brought  the  flip  and  paid  the  mot. 

By  this,  M'Fingal  with  his  train, 
Advanc'd  upon  th'  adjacent  plain, 
And  fierce  with  loyal  rage  poflefs'd, 
Pour'd  forth  the  zeal,  that  fired  his  breait. 
"  What  madbrain'd  rebel  gave  commiffion, 
To  raife  this  Maypole9  of  fedition ! 
Like  Babel  rear'd  by  bawling  throngs, 
With  like  confufion  too  of  tongues10, 
To  point  at  heav'n  and  fummon  down, 
The  thunders  of  the  Britifli  crown11? 
Say  will  this  paltry  pole  fecure 
Your  forfeit  heads  from  Gage's  pow'r? 
Attack'd  by  heroes  brave  and  crafty, 
Is  this  to  fland  your  ark  of  fafety  ? 
Or  driv'n  by  Scottifh  laird  and  laddie12, 
Think  ye  to  refl  beneath  its  fhadow  ? 

When 


90  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

When  bombs,  like  fiery  ferpents,  fly 

And  balls  move  hiffing  thro'  the  fky, 

Will  this  vile  pole,  devote  to  freedom, 

Save  like  the  Jewifh  pole  in  Edom ;. 

Or,  like  the  brazen  fnake  of  Mofes1", 

Cure  your  crack't  ikulls  and  batter'd  nofes  ? 

Ye  dupes  to  ev'ry  fa&ious  rogue, 

Or  tavernprating  demagogue, 

Whofc  tongue  but  rings,  with  found  more  full, 

On  th'  empty  drumhead  of  his  fkull, 

Behold  you  know  not  what  noify  fools 

Ufe  you,  worfe  fimpletons,  for  tools  ? 

For  Liberty  in  your  own  by-fenfe 

Is  but  for  crimes  a  patent  licence ; 

To  break  of  law  th'  Egyptian  yoke, 

And  throw  the  world  in  common  flock, 

Reduce  all  grievances  and  ills 

To  Magna  Charta  u  of  your  wills, 

Eftablifh  cheats  and  frauds  and  nonfenfe, 

Fram'd  by  the  model  of  your  confcience, 

Cry  juftice  down,  as  out  of  fafhion 

And  fix  its  fcale  of  depreciation15, 

Defy 


THIRD.]         THE    LIBERTY    POLE.  91 

Defy  all  creditors  to  trouble  ye, 

And  pafs  new  years  of  Jewifh  jubilee    ; 

Drive  judges  out,  like  Aaron's  calves, 

By  jurifdictions  of  white  ftaves17, 

And  make  the  bar  and  bench  and  fteeple, 

Submit  t'  our  fov'reign  Lord,  the  people  ; 

Aflure  each  knave  his  whole  aflets, 

By  gen'ral  amnefty  of  debts ; 

By  plunder  rife  to  pow'r  and  glory, 

And  brand  all  property  as  tory18; 

Expofe  all  wares  to  lawful  feizures 

Of  mobbers  and  monopolizers ; 

Break  heads  and  windows  and  the  peace, 

For  your  own  int'reft  and  increafe ; 

Difpute  and  pray  and  fight  and  groan, 

For  public  good,  and  mean  your  own ; 

Prevent  the  laws,  by  fierce  attacks, 

From  quitting  fcores  upon  your  backs, 

Lay  your  old  dread,  the  gallows,  low, 

And  feize  the  ftocks19  your  antient  fo~ ; 

And  turn  them,  as  convenient  engines 

To  wreak  your  patriotic  vengeance ; 

While 


92  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  i,  :  [CANTO 

Wliile  all,  your  claims  who  underftand, 
Confefs  they're  in  the  owner's  hand  : 
And  when  by  clamours  and  confufions, 
Your  freedom's  grown  a  public  nuifance, 
Cry,  Liberty,  with  pow'rful  yearning, 
As  he  does,  fire,  whofe  houfe  is  burning, 
Tho'  he  already  has  much  more, 
-     Than  he  can  find  occafion  for. 

While  every  dunce,  that  turns  the  plains 
Tho'  bankrupt  in  eftate  and  brains, 
By  this  new  light  transform'd  to  traitor, 
Forfakes  his  plow  to  turn  diftator, 
Starts  an  haranguing  chief  of  Whigs, 
And  drags  you  by  the  ears,  like  pigs. 
All  bluffer  arm'd  with  factious  licence, 
Transform'd  at  once  to  politicians ; 
Each  leather-apron'd  clown  grown  wife, 
Prefents  his  forward  face  t'  advife, 
And  tatter'd  legiflators  meet 
From  ev'ry  workfhop  thro'  the  ftreet ; 
His  goofe  the  tailor  finds  new  ufe  in, 

To  patch  and  turn  the  conftitution  ; 

The 


THIRD.]         THE    LIBERTY    POLE.  93 

The  blackfmith  comes  with  fledge  and  grate, 
To  ironbind  the  wheels  of  Hate  ; 
The  quack  forbears  his  patient's  foufe, 
To  purge  the  Council  and  the  Houfe, 
The  tinker  quits  his  molds  and  doxies, 
To  caft  arTcmbly-men  at  proxies20. 
From  dunghills  deep  of  fable  hue, 
Your  dirtbred  patriots  fpring  to  view, 
To  wealth  and  pow'r  and  penfion  rife, 
Like  new-wing'd  maggots  chang'd  to  flies; 
And  fluttring  round  in  proud  parade 
Strut  in  the  robe,  or  gay  cockade. 
See  Arnold  quits  for  ways  more  certain, 
His  bankrupt  perj'ries  for  his  fortune, 
Brews  rum  no  longer  in  his  ftore, 
Jockey  and  flapper  now  no  more  ; 
Forfakes  his  warehoufes  and  docks, 
And  writs  of  flander  for  the  pox, 
And  purg'd  by  patriotifm  from  fhame, 
Grows  Gen'ral  of  the  foremoft  name'1. 

HIATUS52. 

For 


94  M  '  F  i  N  n  A  i.  :  f  CANTO 

For  in  this  ferment  of  the  ftream, 
The  dregs  have  work'd  up  to  the  brim, 
And  by  the  rule  of  topfyturvys, 
The  fkum  (lands  fwclling  on  the  furface. 
You've  caus'd  your  pyramid  t'  afccnd 
And  fet  it  on  the  little  end ; 
Like  Hudibras23,  your  empire's  made, 
Whole  crupper  had  o'ertopped  his  head ; 
You've  pufh'd  and  turn'd  the  whole  world  up- 
Side  down  and  got  yourfelvcs  a-top  : 
While  all  the  great  ones  of  your  rtate, 
Are  crufh'd  beneath  the  pop'lar  weight, 
Nor  can  you  boaft  this  prefent  hour, 
The  fhadow  of  the  form  of  pow'r. 
For  what's  your  Congrefs,  or  its  end  ? 
A  power  t'  advife  and- recommend  ; 
To  call  for  troops,  adjuft  your  quotas, 
And  yet  no  foul  is  bound  to  notice24; 
To  pawn  your  faith  to  th'  utmoft  limit, 
But  cannot  bind  you  to  redeem  it':>, 
And  when  in  want  no  more  in  them  lies, 
Than  begging  of  your  State-Affemblics ; 

Can 


THIRD.]          THE    LIBERTY    POL  F.  .  95 

Can  utter  oracles  of  dread, 

Like  friar  Bacon's  brazen  head 26, 

But  mould  a  faction  e'er  difpute  'em, 

Has  ne'er  an  arm  to  execute  'em. 

As  tho'  you  chofe  fupreme  dictators, 

And  put  them  under  confervators ; 

You've  but  purfued  the  felffame  way, 

With  Shakefpeare's  Trinclo  in  the  play  M, 

"  You  mall  be  viceroys  here,  'tis  true, 

But  we'll  be  viceroys  over  you." 

What  wild  confufion  hence  muft  enfue,  . 

Tho'  common  danger  yet  cements  you  ; 

So  fome  wreck'd  vefTcl,  all  in  matters, 

Is  held  up  by  furrounding  waters, 

But  ftrandcd,  when  the  preffure  ceafes, 

Falls  by  its  rottennefs  to  pieces.    " 

And  fall  it  muft — if  wars  were  ended, 

You'll  ne'er  have  fenfe  enough  to  mend  it ; 

But  creeping  on  with  low  intrigues 

Like  vermin  of  an  hundred  legs53, 

Will  find  as  fhort  a  life  affign'd, 

As  all  things  clfe  of  reptile  kind. 

•      Your 


96  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Your  Commonwealth's  a  common  harlot, 
The  property  of  ev'ry  varlet, 
Which  now  in  tafte  and  full  employ, 
All  forts  admire,  as  all  enjoy  ; 
But  foon  a  batter'd  ftrumpet  grown, 
You'll  curfe  and  drum  her  out  of  town. 
Such  is  the  government  you  chofe, 
For  this  you  bade  the  world  be  foes, 
For  this  fo  mark'd  for  diflblution, 
You  fcorn  the  Britifh  conflitution29, 
That  cenftitution,  form'd  by  fages, 
The  wonder  of  all  modern  ages  : 
Which  owns  no  failure  in  reality, 
Except  corruption  and  venality  ; 
And  only  proves  the  adage  juft, 
That  bed  things  fpoffd  corrupt  to  word. 
So  man  fupreme  in  mortal  ftation, 
And  mighty  lord  of  this  creation, 
When  once  his  corfe  is  dead  as  herring, 
Becomes  the  moft  offenfive  carrion, 
And  fooner  breeds  the  plague,  'tis  found, 
Than  all  bcafts  rotting  'bove  the  ground. 

Yet 


THIRD]          THE    LIBERTY    POLE.  97 

Yet  for  this  gov'rnment,  to  difmay  us, 
You've  call'd  up  anarchy  from  chaos, 
With  all  the  followers  of  her  fchool, 
Uproar  and  rage  and  wild  mifrule  ; 
For  whom  this  rout  of  Whigs  diftraded 
And  ravings  dire  of  ev'ry  crack'd  head  ; 
Thefe  new-cart  legiflative  engines 
Of  county-mufters  and  conventions, 
Committees  vile  of  correfpondence30, 
And  mobs,  whofe  tricks  have  aim  oft  undone  's ; 
While  reafon  fails  to  check  your  courfe, 
And  loyalty's  kick'd  out  of  doors, 
And  folly,  like  inviting  landlord, 
Hoifts  on  your  poles  her  royal  ftandard. 
While  the  king's  friends  in  doleful  dumps, 
Have  worn  their  courage  to  the  flumps, 
And  leaving  George  in  fad  difafter, 
Moft  finfully  deny  their  mafter. 
What  furies  raged  when  you  in  fea, 
In  mape  of  Indians  drown'd  the  teasl, 
When  your  gay  fparks,  fatigued  to  watch  it"'', 
Affumcd  the  moggifon 33  and  hatchet. 

With 


98  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

With  wampom'd  blankets  hid  their  laces31, 

And  like  their  fweethearts,  primed  their  faces s*: 

While  not  a  redcoat36  dar'd  oppofe, 

And  fcarce  a  Tory  fhow'd  his  nofe, 

While  Hutchinfon  for  fure  retreat, 

Manouvred  to  his  country  feat, 

And  thence  affrighted  in  the  fnds, 

Stole  off  bareheaded  thro'  the  woods37! 

Have  you  not  rous'd  your  mobs  to  join, 

And  make  Mandamus-men  refign3*, 

Call'd  forth  each  duffil-drefs'd  curmudgeon, 

With  dirty  trowfers  and  white  bludgeon, 

Forc'd  all  our  Councils  thro'  the  land, 

To  yield  their  necks  to  your  command3'; 

While  palenefs  marks  their  late  difgraces 

Thro'  all  their  rueful  length  of  faces  ? 

Have  you  not  caufed  as  woful  work, 

In  loyal  city  of  New  York40, 

When  all  the  rabble  well  cockaded, 

In  triumph  thro'  the  ftreets  paraded  ; 

And  mobb'd  the  Tories,  feared  their  fpoufes, 

And  ranfack'd  all  the  cultom-houfes 41, 

Maae 


THIRD.]         THE    LIBERTY    POLE.  99 

Made  fuch  a  tumult,  blufter,  jarring, 
That  mid  the  clam  of  tempefts  warring, 
Smith's  weathercock41  with  veers  forlorn, 
Could  hardly  tell  which  way  to  turn  ; 
Burnt  effigies  of  th'  higher  powers4', 
.  Contriv'd  in  planetary  hours, 
As  witches  with  clay-images, 
Deftroy  or  torture  whom  they  pleafe ; 
Till  fired  with  rage,  th'  ungrateful  club 
Spared  not  your  beft  friend,  Belzebub44, 
O'erlook'd  his  favours  and  forgot 
The  rev'rence  due  his  cloven  foot, 
And  in  the  felffame  furnace  frying, 
Burn'd  him  and  North  and  Bute  and  Tryon  u 
Did  you  not  in  as  vile  and  mallow  way, 
Fright  our  poor  Philadelphian,  Galloway, 
Your  Congrefs  when  the  daring  ribald 
Belied,  berated  and  befcribblcd  ? 
What  ropes  and  halters  did  you  fend, 
Terrific  emblems  of  his  end, 
Till  leaft  he'd  hang  in  more  than  effigy, 

Fled  in  a  fog  the  trembling  refugee46? 

Now 


loo  jVl    f  i  N  c  A  L  .  [CANTO 

Now  rifmg  in  progreffion  fatal, 
Have  you  not  ventur'd  to  give  battle  ? 
When  treafon  chaced  our  heroes  troubled, 
With  rufty  gun  and  leathern  doublet, 
Turn'd  all  ftonewalls  and  groves  and  bufhes, 
To  batt'ries  arm'd  with  blunderbufTes, 
And  with  deep  wounds  that  fate  portend, 
Gaul'd  many  a  reg'lar's  latter  end, 
Drove  them  to  Bofton,  as  in  jail, 
Confined  without  mainprize  or  bail47. 
Were  not  thefe  deeds  enough  betimes, 
To  heap  the  meafure  of  your  crimes, 
But  in  this  loyal  town  and  dwelling, 
You  raifc  thefe  enfigns  of  rebellion  ? 
'Tis  done  ;  fair  Mercy  fhuts  her  door  ; 
And  Vengeance  now  mail  fleep  no  more43; 
Rife  then,  my  friends,  in  terror  rife, 
And  wipe  this  fcandal  from  the  fkies ! 
You'll  fee  their  Dagon49,  tho'  well  jointed, 
Will  fink  before  the  Lord's  anointed60, 
And  like  old  Jericho's  proud  wall, 
Before  our  ram's  horns  proilrate  fall11." 

This 


THIRD.]         THE    LIBERTY    POLE.  101 

This  faid,  our  'Squire,  yet  undifmay'd 
Call'd  forth  the  Conrtable  to  aid, 
And  bade  him  read  in  nearer  ftation, 
The  riot-aft  and  proclamation  ; 
Who  now  advancing  tow'rd  the  ring, 
Began,  "  Our  fov'reign  Lord  the  King  " — 53 
When  thoufand  clam'rous  tongues  he  hears, 
And  clubs  and  ftones  affail  his  ears  ; 
To  fly  was  vain,  to  fight  was  idle, 
By  foes  encompafs'd  in  the  middle ; 
In  flratagem  his  aid  he  found, 
And  fell  right  craftily  to  ground  ; 
Then  crept  to  feek  an  hiding  place, 
'Twas  all  he  could,  beneath  a  brace ; 
Where  foon  the  conq'ring  crew  efpied  him 
And  where  he  lurk'd,  they  caught  and  tied  him. 

At  once  with  refolution  fatal, 
Both  Whigs  and  Tories  rufh'd  to  battle ; 
Inftead  of  weapons,  cither  band 
Seiz'd  on  fuch  arms,  as  came  to  hand. 
And  as  fam'd  Ovid  paints  th'  adventures 
Of  wrangling  Lapithae  and  Centaurs53, 

Who 


IO2  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Who  at  their  feaft,  by  Bacchus54  led, 

Threw  bottles  at  each  other's  head, 

And  thefc  arms  failing  in  their  fcufflcs, 

Attack'd  with  handirons,  tongs  and  fhovels  : 

So  clubs  and  billets,  ftaves  and  ftoncs 

Met  fierce,  encount'ring  ev'ry  fconce, 

And  cover'd  o'er  with  knobs  and  pains 

Each  void  receptacle  for  brains ; 

Their  clamours  rend  the  hills  around, 

And  earth  rebellows  with  the  found  ; 

And  many  a  groan  incrcas'd  the  din 

From  broken  nofe  and  batter'd  fliin. 

M'Fingal  rifmg  at  the  word, 

Drew  forth  his  old  militia  fword  ; 

Thrice  cried,  "  King  George,"  as  erft  in  diftrefs 

Romancing  heroes  did  their  miftrefs, 

And  brandifhing  the  blade  in  air, 

Struck  terror  thro'  th'  oppofing  war. 

The  Whigs,  unfafe  within  the  wind 

Of  fuch  commotion  fhrunk  behind. 

With  whirling  ftcel  around  addrcfs'd, 

Fierce  thro'  their  thickeft  throng  he  prefs'd, 

(Who 


THIRD.]          THE    LIBERTY    POLE.  103 

(Who  roll'd  on  either  fide  in  arch, 
Like  Red-fea  waves  in  Ifrael's  march) 
And  like  a  meteor  milling  through, 
Struck  on  their  pole  a  vengeful  blow. 
Around,  the  Whigs,  of  clubs  and  ftones 
Difcharg'd  whole  vollies  in  platoons, 
That  o'er  in  whittling  terror  fly, 
But  not  a  foe  dares  venture  nigh. 
And  now  perhaps  with  conqueft  crown'd, 
Our  'Squire  had  fell'd  their  pole  to  ground  ; 
Had  not  fome  Pow'r,  a  Whig  at  heart, 
Defcended  down  and  took  their  part ; 
(Whether  'twere  Pallas55,  Mars56,  or  Iris57, 
'Tis  fcarce  worth  while  to  make  enquiries) 
Who  at  the  nick  of  time  alarming, 
Affumed  the  graver  form  of  Chairman ; 
Addrefs'd  a  Whig,  in  ev'ry  fcene 
The  ftouteft  wreftler  on  the  green, 
And  pointed  where  the  fpade  was  found, 
Late  ufed  to  fix  their  pole  in  ground, 
And  urg'd  with  equal  arms  and  might 
To  dare  our  'Squire  to  fingle  fight58. 

The 


104  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  L  :  [CANTO 

The  Whig  thus  arm'd,  untaught  to  yield, 

Advanc'd  tremendous  to  the  field  ; 

Nor  did  M'Fingal  fliun  the  foe, 

But  flood  to  brave  the  dcfp'rate  blow ; 

While  all  the  party  gaz'd  fufpended, 

To  fee  the  deadly  combat  ended. 

And  Jove  in  equal  balance  weigh'd 

The  fword  againft  the  brandifh'd  fpade, 

He  weigh'd ;   but  lighter  than  a  dream, 

The  fword  flew  up  and  kick'd  the  beam, 

Our  'Squire  on  tiptoe  rifing  fair, 

Lifts  high  a  noble  flroke  in  air, 

Which  hung  not,  but  like  dreadful  engines 

Defcended  on  the  foe  in  vengeance. 

But  ah,  in  danger  with  difhonor 

The  fword  perfidious  fails  its  owner ; 

That  fword,  which  oft  had  flood  its  ground 

By  huge  trainbands  encompafs'd  round, 

Or  on  the  bench,  with  blade  right  loyal69, 

Had  won  the  day  at  many  a  trial, 

Of  flones  and  clubs  had  brav'd  th'  alarms, 

Shrunk  from  thefe  new  Vulcanian  arms00. 

The 


THIRD.]          THE    LIBERTY    POLE.  105 

The  fpade  fo  temper'd  from  the  fledge, 
Nor  keen  nor  folid  harm'd  its  edge, 
Now  met  it  from  his  arm  of  might 
Defcending  with  fteep  force  to  finite*1; 
The  blade  fnapp'd  fhort— and  from  his  hand 
With  ruft  embrown'd  the  glitt'ring  fand. 
Swift  turn'd  M'Fingal  at  the  view, 
And  call'd  for  aid  th'  attendant  crew, 
In  vain  ;   the  Tories  all  had  run, 
When  fcarce  the  fight  was  well  begun  ; 
Their  fetting  wigs  he  faw  decreas'd 
Far  in  th'  horizon  tow'rd  the  weft. 
Amaz'd  he  view'd  the  fhameful  fight, 
And  faw  no  refuge  but  in  flight : 
But  age  umvcildy  check'd  his  pace, 
Tho'  fear  had  wing'd  his  flying  race  ; 
For  not  a  trifling  prize  at  flake  ; 
No  lefs  than  great  M'Fingal's  back. 
With  legs  and  arms  he  work'd  his  courfe, 
Like  rider  that  outgoes  his  horfe, 
And  labour'd  hard  to.  get  away,  as 
Old  Satan  ftruggling  on  thro'  chaos": 

Till 


1 06  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Till  looking  back  he  fpied  in  rear 

The  fpadc-arm'd  chief  advanc'd  too  near. 

Then  ftopp'd  and  fciz'd  a  itone  that  lay, 

An  antient  land-mark  near  the  way ; 

Nor  fhall  we,  as  old  Bards  have  done, 

Affirm  it  weigh'd  an  hundred  ton  K : 

But  fuch  a  ftone  as  at  a  fhift 

A  modern  might  fuffice  to  lift, 

Since  men,  to  credit  their  enigmas, 

Are  dwindled  down  to  dwarfs  and  pigmies, 

And  giants  exiled  with  their  cronies, 

To  Brobdingnags  and  Patagonias64. 

But  while  our  hero  turn'd  him  round, 

And  ftoop'd  to  raife  it  from  the  ground, 

The  deadly  fpade  difcharg'd  a  blow 

Tremendous  on  his  rear  below  : 

His  bent  knee  fail'd,  and  void  of  ftrength, 

Stretch'd  on  the  ground  his  manly  length  ; 

Like  antient  oak  o'erturn'd  he  lay, 

Or  tow'rs  to  tempells  fall'n  a  prey, 

And  more  things  elfe — but  all  men  know  'em, 

If  flightly  vers'd  in  Epic  Poem. 

At 


THIRD.]         THE   LIBERTY    POLE.  107 

At  once  the  crew,  at  this  fad  crifis, 
Fail  on  and  bind  him  ere  he  rifes, 
And  with  loud  fhouts  and  joyful  foul 
Conduct  him  pris'ner  to  the  pole. 

When  now  the  Mob  in  lucky  hour, 
Had  got  their  en'mies  in  their  pow'r, 
They  firft  proceed  by  wife  command 
To  take  the  conftable  in  hand. 

• 

Then  from  the  pole's  fublimeft  top 

They  fpeeded  to  let  down  the  rope, 

At  once  its  other  end  in  hafte  bind, 

And  make  it  faft  upon  his  waiftband, 

Till  like  the  earth,  as  ftretch'd  on  tenter, 

He  hung  felf-balanc'd  on  his  center65. 

Then  upwards  all  hands  hoifting  fail, 

They  fwung  him,  like  a  keg  of  ale, 

Till  to  the  pinnacle  fo  fair, 

He  rofe  like  meteor  in  the  air. 

As  Socrates  of  old  at  firft  did 

To  aid  philofophy  get  hoifted, 

And  found  his  thoughts  flow  ftrangely  clear, 

Swung  in  a  bafket  in  mid  air 66 : 

Our 


1 08  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Our  culprit  thus  in  purer  fky, 

With  like  advantage  rais'd  his  eye  ; 

And  looking  forth  in  profpeft  wide 

Hib  Tory  errors  clearly  fpied, 

And  from  his  elevated  ftation, 

With  bawling  voice  began  addreflmg. 

"  Good  gentlemen  and  friends  and  kin, 

For  heav'n's  fake  hear,  if  not  for  mine  ! 

I  here  renounce  the  Pope,  the  Turks, 

The  King,  the.  Devil  and  all  their  works ; 

And  will,  fet  me  but  once  at  eafe, 

Turn  Whig  or  Chriftian,  what  you  please ; 

And  always  mind  your  laws  as  juftly ; 

Should  I  live  long  as  old  Methus'lah, 

I'll  never  join  with  Britifh  rage, 

Nor  help  Lord  North,  or  Gen'ral  Gage, 

Nor  lift  my  gun  in  future  fights, 

Nor  take  away  your  charter'd  rights, 

Nor  overcome  your  new-rais'd  levies, 

Deftroy  your  towns,  nor  burn  your  navies, 

Nor  cut  your  poles  down  while  I've  breath, 

Tho'  rais'd  more  thick  than  hatchel-tecth 67 : 

But 


THIRD.]          THE    LIBERTY    POLE.  109 

But  leave  king  George  and  all  his  elvc» 
To  do  their  conq'ring  work  themfelves." 

This  faid,  they  lower'd  him  down  in  ftate, 
Spread  at  all  points,  like  falling  cat ; 
But  took  a  vote  firft  on  the  queftion, 
That  they'd  accept  this  full  confeffion, 
And  to  their  fellowfhip  and  favor, 
Reftore  him  on  his  good  behaviour. 

Not  fo,  our  'Squire  fubmits  to  rule, 
But  flood  heroic  as  a  mule. 
"  You'll  find  it  all  in  vain,  quoth  he, 
To  play  your  rebel  tricks  on  me. 
All  punifhments  the  world  can  render, 
Serve  only  to  provoke  th'  offender ; 
The  will's  confirm'd  by  treatment  horrid, 
As  hides  grow  harder  when  they're  curried. 
No  man  e'er  felt  the  halter  draw, 
With  good  opinion  of  the  law  j 
Or  held  in  method  orthodox 

His  love  of  juftice  in  the  flocks68; 

Oi 


iio  M'FINGAL:  [CANTO 

Or  fail'd  to  lofc  by  fheriff's  fhears 
At  once  his  loyalty  and  ears69. 
Have  you  made  Murray10  look  lefs  big, 
Or  fmoak'd  old  Williams  to  a  Whig11? 
Did  our  mobb'd  Oliver'2  quit  his  ftation, 
Or  heed  his  vows  of  refignation  ? 
Has  Rivington,  in  dread  of  ftripes, 
Ceas'd  lying  iince  you  ftole  his  types  '3? 
And  can  you  think  my  faith  will  alter, 
By  tarring,  whipping,  or  the  halter  ? 
I'll  ftand  the  worft  ;  for  recompence 
I  truft  King  George  and  Providence. 
And  when,  our  conqueft  gain'd,  I  come, 
Array'd  in  law  and  terror  home, 
You'll  rue  this  inaufpicious  morn, 
And  curfe  the  day  you  e'er  were  born, 
In  Job's  high  llyle  of  imprecations, 
With  all  liis  plagues,  without  his  patience." 

Meanwhile  befide  the  pole,  the  guard 
A  Bench  of  Juftice  had  prepar'd, 
Where  fitting  round  in  awful  fort, 
The  grand  Committee  hold  their  court14; 

While 


THIRD.]          THE    LIBERTY    POLE.  MI 

While  all  the  crew  in  filent  awe, 
Wait  from  their  lips  the  lore  of  law. 
Few  moments  with  deliberation, 
They  hold  the  folemn  confultation, 
When  foon  in  judgment  all  agree, 
And  Clerk  declares  the  dread  decree ; 
"  That  'Squire  M'Fingal  having  grown, 
The  vileft  Tory  in  the  town, 
And  now  on  full  examination, 
Convicted  by  his  own  confeffion, 
Finding  no  tokens  of  repentance, 
This  Court  proceed  to  render  fentencc  : 
That  firft  the  Mob  a  flip-knot  fingle 
Tic  round  the  neck  of  faid  M'Fingal  ; 
And  in  due  form  do  tar  him  next, 
And  feather,  as  the  law  directs ; 
Then  thro'  the  town  attendant  ride  him, 
In  cart  with  Conftable  befide  him, 
And  having  held  him  up  to  fhamc, 
Bring  to  the  pole  from  whence  he  came  "V 

Forthwith  the  croud  proceed  to  deck 
With  halter'd  noofe  M'FingaPs  neck, 

While 


112  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

While  he,  in  peril  of  his  foul, 

Stood  tied  half-hanging  to  the  pole; 

Then  lifting  high  the  pond'rous  jar, 

Pour'd  o'er  his  head  the  fmoaking  tar : 

With  lefs  profufion  erft  was  fpread 

The  Jewish  oil  on  royal  head"6, 

That  down  his  beard  and  veftments  ran, 

And  cover'd  all  his  outward  man. 

As  when  (fo  Claudian  fmgs)  the  Gods 

And  earth-born  giants  fell  at  odds77,. 

The  ftout  Enccladus18  in  malice 

Tore  mountains  up  to  throw  at  Pallas ; 

And  as  he  held  them  o'er  his  head, 

The  river  from  their  fountains  fed, 

Pour'd  down  his  back  its  copious  tide, 

And  wore  its  channels  in  his  hyde : 

So  from  the  high  rais'd  urn  the  torrents, 

Spread  down  his  fide  their  various  currents ; 

His  flowing  wig,  as  next  the  brim, 

Firft  met  and  drank  the  fable  ftream ; 

Adown  his  vifage  ftern  and  grave, 

Roll'd  and  adhered  the  vifcid  wave ; 

With 


THIRD.]          THE    LIBERTY    POLE.  115 

With  arms  depending  as  he  ftood. 

Each  cuft"  capacious  holds  the  flood ; 

From  nofe  and  chin's  remoteft  end, 

The  tarry  icicles  depend  ; 

Till  all  o'erfpread,  with  colors  gay 

He  glitter'd  to  the  weftern  ray, 

Like  fleet-bound  trees  in  wintry  flues, 

Or  Lapland  idol  carv'd  in  ice. 

And  now  the  feather-bag  difplay'd, 

Is  wav'd  in  triumph  o'er  his  head, 

And  fpreads  him  o'er  with  feathers  miflive. 

And  down  upon  the  tar  adhefive : 

Not  Maia's  fon,  with  wings  for  ears19, 

Such  plumes  around  his  vifage  wears ; 

Nor  Milton's  fix  wing'd  angel80  gathers, 

Such  fupcrfluity  of  feathers. 

Till  all  compleat  appears  our  'Squire 

Like  Gorgon  or  Chimera  dire81; 

Nor  more  could  boaft  on  Plato's  plan 

To  rank  amid  the  race  of  man, 

Or  prove  his  claim  to  human  nature, 

As  a  two-legg'd,  unfeather'd  creature82. 

Then 


114  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Then  on  the  two-wheel'd  car  of  Hate, 
They  rais'd  our  grand  Duumvirate*3. 
And  as  at  Rome  a  like  committee, 
That  found  an  owl  within  their  city, 
With  folemn  rites  and  fad  proccffions, 
At  ev'ry  Ihrine  perform'd  luftrations ; 
And  leall  infection  mould  abound 
From  prodigy  with  face  fo  round, 
All  Rome  attends  him  thro'  the  ftreet, 
In  triumph  to  his  country-feat84; 
With  like  devotion  all  the  choir 
Paraded  round  our  feather'd  'Squire  ; 
In  front  the  martial  mufic  comes 
Of  horns  and  fiddles,  fifes  and  drums, 
With  jingling  found  of  carriage  bells, 
And  treble  creak  of  ruftcd  wheels ; 
Behind,  the  croud  in  lengthen'd  row, 
With  grave  proceflion  clofcd  the  fiiow  ; 
And  at  fit  periods  ev'ry  throat 
Combined  in  univerfal  fhout, 
And  hail'd  great  Liberty  in  chorus, 
Or  bawl'd,  Confufion  to  the  Tories. 

Not 


THIRD.]         THE   LIBERTY   POLE.  115 

Not  louder  llorm  the  welkin  braves, 
From  clamors  of  conflicting  waves  ; 
Lefs  dire  in  Lybian  wilds  the  noife 
When  rav'ning  lions  lift  their  voice  ; 
Or  triumphs  at  town-meetings  made, 
On  paffing  votes  to  reg'late  trade85. 

Thus  having  borne  them  round  the  town, 
Laft  at  the  pole  they  fet  them  down, 
And  tow'rd  the  tavern  take  their  way, 
To  end  in  mirth  the  feftal  day. 

And  now  the  Mob  difpers'd  and  gone, 
Left  'Squire  and  Conftable  alone. 
The  Conftable  in  rueful  cafe 
Lean'd  fad  and  folemn  o'er  a  brace. 
And  fail  befidc  him,  cheek-  by  jowl, 
Stuck  'Squire  M'Fingal  'gainft  the  pole, 
Glued  by  the  tar  t'  his  rear  applied, 
Like  barnacle86  on  veffePs  fide. 
But  tho'  his  body  lack'd  phyfician, 
His  fpirit  was  in  worfe  condition. 

He 


Ii6  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

He  found  his  fears  of  whips  and  ropes, 
By  many  a  drachm  outweigh'd  his  hopes. 
As  men  in  goal  without  mainprize, 
View  ev'ry  thing  with  other  eyes, 
And  all  goes  wrong  in  church  and  ftate, 
Seen  thro'  perfpeftive  of  the  grate  : 
So  now  M'Fingal's  fecond-fight 
Beheld  all  things  in  different  light ; 
His  vifual  nerve,  well  purg'd  with  tar, 
Saw  all  the  coming  fcenes  of  war. 
As  his  prophetic  foul  grew  ftronger, 
He  found  he  could  hold  in  no  longer ; 
Firft  from  the  pole,  as  fierce  he  fhook, 
His  wig  from  pitchy  durance  broke, 

His  mouth  unglued,  his  feathers  flutter'd, 

• 
His  tarr'd  fkirts  crack'd,  and  thus  he  uttcr'd, 

"  Ah,  Mr.  Conftable,  in  vain 
We  drive  'gainft  wind  and  tide  and  rain  ! 
Behold  my  doom !  this  feather'd  omen 
Portends  what  difmal  times  are  coming. 
Now  future  fcenes  before  my  eyes, 
And  fecond-fighted  forms  arife  ; 

I  hear 


THIRD.]         THE   LIBERTY    POLE.  n? 

I  hear  a  voice  that  calls  away, 
And  cries,  the  Whigs  will  win  the  day87; 
My  beck'ning  Genius  gives  command, 
And  bids  us  fly  the  fatal  land ; 
Where  changing  name  and  conftitution, 
Rebellion  turns  to  revolution88, 
While  Loyalty  opprefs'd  in  tears, 
Stands  trembling  for  its  neck  and  ears. 
Go,  fummon  all  our  brethren  greeting, 
To  mufter  at  our  ufual  meeting. 
There  my  prophetic  voice  mail  warn  'em, 
Of  all  things  future  that  concern  'em, 
And  fcenes  difclofe  on  which,  my  friend, 
Their  conduct  and  their  lives  depend  : 
There  I — but  firft  'tis  more  of  ufe, 
From  this  vile  pole  to  fet  me  loofe ; 
Then  go  with  cautious  fteps  and  fteady, 
While  I  fleer  home  and  make  all  ready." 

END    OF    CANTO    THIRD. 


M'FINGAL : 


CANTO       FOURTH 


THE  VISION. 


night  came  down,  and  rofe  full  foon 
That  patronefs  of  rogues,  the  Moon  j 
Beneath  whofe  kind,  protecting  ray 
Wolves,  brute  and  human,  prowl  for  prey. 
The  honeft  world  all  fnored  in  chorus, 
While  owls,  and  ghofts  and  thieves  and  Tories, 
Whom  crft  the  mid-day  fun  had  aw'd, 
Crept  from  their  lurking  holes  abroad. 
On  cautious  hinges,  flow  and  ftiller 
Wide  oped  the  great  M'FingaPs  cellar  ', 
Where  fhut  from  prying  eyes  in  clufter, 
The  Tory  Pandemonium  *  mufler. 


Theii 


FOURTH.]  T  H  E     V  I  S  I  O  N'  .  119 

Their  chiefs  all  fitting  round  defcried  are, 
On  kegs  of  ale  and  feats  of  cyder  ; 
When  firtl  M'Fingal  dimly  fecn 
Rofc  folcmn  from  the  turnep-bin3. 
Nor  yet  his  form  had  wholly  loll 
The  original  brightnefs  it  could  boail4, 
Nor  lefs  appear'd  than  Juftice  Quorum, 
In  feather'd  majefty  before  'em 5. 
Ad  own  his  tarftreak'd  vifage,  clear 
Fell  glift'ning  faft  th'  indignant  tear, 
And  thus  his  voice,  in  mournful  wife, 
Purfued  the  prologue  of  his  fighs. 

"  Brethren  and  friends,  the  glorious  band 
Of  loyalty  in  rebel  land  ! 
It  was  not  thus  you've  feen  me  fitting 
Return'd  in  triumph  from  town-meeting, 
When  bluftring  Whigs  were  put  to  ftand, 
And  votes  obey'd  my  guiding  hand, 
And  new  commiffions  pleas'd  my  eyes ; 
Blefl  days,  but  ah,  no  more  to  rife ! 
Alas,  againft  my  better  light 
And  optics  fure  of  fecond-fight  °, 

My 


i  zo  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

My  ftubborn  foul  in  error  ftrong, 

Had  faith  in  Hutchinfon7  too  long. 

See  what  brave  trophies  ftill  we  bring 

From  all  our  battles  for  the  king ; 

And  yet  thefe  plagues  now  paft  before  us, 

Are  but  our  entring  wedge  of  forrows. 

I  fee  in  glooms  tempeftuous  ftand 

The  cloud  impending  o'er  the  land ; 

That  cloud,  which  ftill  beyond  their  hopes 

Serves  all  our  orators  with  tropes, 

Which  tho'  from  our  own  vapors  fed, 

Shall  point  its  thunders  on  our  head  ! 

I  fee  the  Mob,  beflipp'd8  in  taverns, 

Hunt  us,  like  wolves,  thro'  wilds  and  caverns ! 

What  dungeons  rife  t'  alarm  our  fears, 

What  horfewhips  whiitle  round  our  ears  ! 

Tar  yet  in  embryo  in  the  pine9 

Shall  run,  on  Tories  backs  to  mine  ; 

Trees  rooted  fair  in  groves  of  fallows 

Are  growing  for  our  future  gallows ; 

And  geefe  unhatch'd,  when  pluck'd  in  fray, 

Sha'J  rue  the  feath'ring  of  that  day  10. 

For 


FOURTH.]  T  H  E     V  I  S  I  O  N  .  121 

For  me,  before  thefe  fatal  days 
I  mean  to  fly  th'  accurfed  place, 
And  follow  omens,  which  of  late 
Have  warn'd  me  of  impending  fate  ; 
Yet  pafs'd  unnoticed  o'er  my  view, 
Till  fad  convidtion  proved  them  true  ; 
As  prophecies  of  belt  intent, 
Are  only  heeded  in  th'  event. 

For  late  in  vifions  of  the  night 
The  gallows  flood  before  my  fight ; 
I  faw  its  ladder  heav'd  on  end ; 
I  faw  the  deadly  rope  defcend ; 
And  in  its  noofe  that  wav'ring  fwang, 
Friend  Malcolm11  hung,  or  feem'd  to  hang. 
How  changed  from  him,  who  bold  as  lyon, 
Stood  Aid-dc-Camp  to  Governor  Tryon, 
Made  rebels  vanifh  once,  like  witches, 
And  laved  his  life,  but  dropp'd  his  breeches1'2, 
I  icarce  had  made  a  fearful  bow, 
And  trembling  afk'd  him,  "  How  d'ye  do." 
When  lifting  up  his  eyes  fo  wide, 

His  eyes  alone,  his  hands  were  tied ; 

With 


122  M'FiNGAL:  [CANTO 

With  feeble  voice,  as  fpirits  ufe, 

Now  almoft  choak'd  with  gripe  of  noofe ; 

"  Ah 13  fly,  my  friend,  he  cried,  efcape, 

And  keep  yourfelf  from  this  fad  fcrape  ; 

Enough  you've  talk'd  and  writ  and  plann'd  ; 

The  Whigs  have  got  the  upper  hand. 

Dame  Fortune's  wheel  has  turn'd  fo  fhort, 

It  plung'd  us  fairly  in  the  dirt ; 

Could  mortal  arm  our  fears  have  ended, 

This  arm  (and  shook  it)  had  defended. 

But  longer  now  'tis  vain  to  flay; 

See  ev'n  the  Reg'lars  run  away  : 

Wait  not  till  things  grow  dcfperater, 

For  hanging  is  no  laughing  matter  : 

This  might  your  grandfires'  fortunes  tell  you  on 

Who  both  were  hang'd  the  laft  rebellion14; 

Adventure  then  no  longer  ftay, 

But 'call  your  friends  and  run  away. 

For  lo,  thro'  deepeft  glooms  of  night 

I  come  to  aid  thy  fccond-fight, 

Difclofe  the  plagues  that  round  us  wait 

And  wake  the  dark  decrees  of  fate. 

Afcend 


FOURTH.]  THE    VISION.  123 

Afcend  this  ladder  whence  unfurlM 
The  curtain  opes  of  t'other  world, 
For  here  new  worlds  their  fcenes  unfold, 
Seen  from  this  backdoor  of  the  old  15. 
As  when  ^Eneas'"  rifqued  his  life, 
Like  Orpheus  vent'ring  for  his  wife  n, 
And  bore  in  fhow  his  mortal  carcafe, 
Thro'  realms  of  Erebus  and  Orcus '", 
Then  in  the  happy  fields  Elyfian, 
Saw  all  his  embryon  fons  in  vifion  : 
As  fhown  by  great  archangel,  Michael, 
Old  Adam  faw  the  world's  whole  fequel, 
And  from  the  mount's  extended  fpace, 
The  rifing  fortunes  of  his  race19; 
So  from  this  ftage  malt  thou  behold, 
The  war  its  coming  fcenes  unfold, 
Rais'd  by  my  arm  to  meet  thine  eye ; 
My  Adam,  thou,  thine  Angel,  I. 
But  firft  my  pow'r  for  vifions  bright, 
Muft  cleanfe  from  clouds  thy  mental  fight, 
Remove  the  dim  iliffufions  fpread, 
Which  bribes  and  fal'ries  there  have  bred ; 

And 


124  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

And  from  the  well  of  Bute  infufe, 
Three  genuine  drops  of  Highland  dews, 
To  purge,  like  euphrafy  and  rue20, 
Thine  eyes,  for  much  thou  haft  to  view. 

Now  freed  from  Tory  darknefs  raife 
Thy  head  and  fpy  the  coining  days ; 
For  lo  before  our  fecond-fight, 
The  Continent  afcends  in  light ; 
From  north  to  fouth  what  gath'ring  fwarms, 
Increafe  the  pride  of  rebel  arms ! 
Thro'  ev'ry  State  our  legions  brave, 
Speed  gallant  marches  to  the  grave, 
Of  battling  Whigs  the  frequent  prize, 
While  rebel  trophies  ftain  the  Ikies21. 
Behold  o'er  northern  realms  afar, 
Extend  the  kindling  flumes  of  war  ! 
See  fam'd  St.  John's  and  Montreal, 
Doom'd  by  Montgom'ry's  arm  to  fall25! 
Where  Hudfon  with  majeftic  fway, 
Thro'  hills  difparted  plows  his  way ; 
Fate  fpreads  on  Bemus'  Heights  alarms, 
And  pours  deftruction  on  our  arms23; 

There 


FOURTH.]  THE    VISION.  125 

There  Bennington's  cnfanguin'd  plain24. 
And  Stony-Point,  the  prize  of  Wayne25. 
Behold  near  Del'ware's  icy  roar, 
Where  morning  dawns  on  Trenton's  fhore, 
While  Heffians  fpread  their  Chriftmas  feafts, 
Rufh  rude  thefe  uninvited  guefts ; 
Nor  aught  avail,  to  Whigs  a  prize, 
Their  martial  whifkers'  grifly  fize26. 
On  Princeton  plains  our  heroes  yield, 
And  fpread  in  flight  the  vanquifh'd  field, 
While  fear  to  Mawhood's  heels  puts  on 
Wings,  wide  as  worn  by  Maia's  fon'". 
Behold  the  Pennfylvanian  more, 
Enrich'd  with  ftreams  of  Britifh  gore28; 
Where  many  a  vet'ran  chief  in  bed 
Of  honor  refts  his  flumbring  head, 
And  in  foft  vales  in  land  of  foes, 
Their  wearied  virtue  finds  repofe 29. 
See  plund'ring  Dunmore's  negro  band 
Fly  headlong  from  Virginia's  ftrand ;'° ; 
And  far  on  fouthern  hills  our  coufins, 
The  Scotc  h  M'Donalds  fall  by  dozens 31  j 

Or 


126  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  r. :  [CANTO 

Or  where  King's  Mountain  lifts  its  head, 
Our  ruin'd  bands  in  triumph  led35! 
Behold  o'er  Tarlton's  blull'ring  train, 
The  Rebels  ftretch  the  captive  chain 3i ! 
Afar  near  Eutaw's  fatal  fprings 
Defcending  Vift'ry  fpreads  her  wings 34 ! 
Thro'  all  the  land  in  various  chace, 
We  hunt  the  rainbow  of  fuccefs ; 
In  vain  !  their  Chief  fuperior  ftill 
Eludes  our  force  with  Fabian  fkill 35, 
Or  fwift  defcending  by  furprize, 
Like  Pruffia's  eagle  fweeps  the  prize." 

I  look'd,  nor  yet,  oppreft  with  fears, 
Gave  credit  to  my  eyes  or  ears, 
But  held  the  views  an  empty  dream, 
On  Berkley's  immaterial  fcheme 2t5 ; 
And  pondring  fad  with  troubled  breaft 
At  length  my  rifmg  doubts  exprcfs'd. 
"  Ah  whither,  thus  by  rebels  fmittcn, 
Is  fled  th'  omnipotence  of  Britain "', 
Or  fail'd  its  ufual  guard  to  keep, 
Gone  truanting  or  fall'n  afleep  ; 

As 


FOURTH.]  T.HEVlSION.  127 

As  Baal  his  prophets  left  confounded, 

And  bawling  vot'rics  gafh'd  and  wounded 3<i  ? 

Did  not,  retir'd  to  bow'rs  Elyiian, 

Great  Mars  leave  with  her  his  commiffion, 

And  Neptune  erft  in  treaty  free, 

Give  up  dominion  o'er  the  fea39? 

Elfe  w here's  the  faith  of  famed  orations40, 

Addrefs,  debate  and  proclamations, 

Or  courtly  fermon,  laureat  ode, 

And  ballads  on  the  watry  God 41 ; 

With  whofe  high  /trains  great  George  enriches 

His  eloquence  of  gracious  fpeeches 42  ? 

Not  faithful  to  cur  Highland  eyes, 

Thefe  deadly  forms  of  vifion  rife ; 

But  fure  fome  Whig-infpiring  fprite 

Now  palms  delufion  on  our  fight. 

I'd  fcarcely  truft  a  tale  fo  vain, 

Should  revelation  prompt  the  ftrain, 

Or  Offian's  ghoft  the  fccnes  rehearfe, 

In  all  the  melody  of  Erfe." 43 

"  Too  long,  quoth  Malcolm,  with  confufion 
You've  dwelt  already  .in  delufion, 

As 


1 28  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  L  :  [CANTO 

As  Sceptics,  of  all  fools  the  chief, 

Hold  faith  in  creeds  of  unbelief. 

I  come  to  draw  thy  veil  afide 

Of  error,  prejudice  and  pride. 

Fools  love  deception,  but  the  wife 

Prefer  fad  truths  to  pleafing  lies. 

For  know  thofc  hopes  can  ne'er  fucceed 

That  truft  on  Britain's  breaking  reed. 

For  weakening  long  from  bad  to  worfe 

By  fatal  atrophy  of  purfe, 

She  feels  at  length  with  trembling  heart, 

Her  foes  have  found  her  mortal  part. 

As  famed  Achilles,  dipped  by  Thetis 

In  Styx,  as  fung  in  antient  ditties, 

Grew  all  cafeharden'd  o'er  like  ftecl, 

Invulnerable,  fave  his  heel"14, 

And  laugh'd  at  fwords  and  fpcars,  as  fquibs, 

And  all  difeafes,  but  the  kibes'5; 

Yet  met  at  laft  his  fatal  wound, 

By  Paris'  arrow  nail'd  to  ground'1": 

So  Britain's  boafted  ftrength  deferts, 

In  thefe  her  empire's  utmoft  fkirts, 

Remov'd 


FOURTH.]  T  H  E     V  I  S  I  O  N  .  I  29 

Rcmov'd  beyond  her  fierce  impreflions, 

And  atmofphere  of  omniprcfence ; 

Nor  to  rhefe  fhores  remoter  ends, 

Her  dwarf  omnipotence  extends  : 

Whence  in  this  turn  of  things  fo  ftrange, 

'Tis  time  our  principles  to  change. 

For  vain  that  boafted  faith,  which  gathers 

No  perquifite,  but  tar  and  feathers, 

No  pay,  but  Whig's  infill  ting  malice, 

And  no  promotion,  but  the  gallows. 

I've  long  enough  flood  firm  and  ileady, 

Half  hang'd  for  loyalty  already  : 

And  could  I  fave  my  neck  and  pelf 

I'd  turn  a  flaming  Whig  myfelf, 

And  quit  this  caufe  and  courfe  and  calling,, 

Like  rats  that  fly  from  houfe  that's  falling. 

But  fince,  obnoxious  here  to  fate, 

This  faving  wifdom  comes  too  late, 

Our  nobleft  hopes  already  croft, 

Our  fal'ries  gone,  our  titles  loft, 

Doom'd  to  worfe  fuff'rings  from  the  mob 

Than  Satan's  furg'rics  ufcd  on  Job47; 

What 


130 


M  '  F  I  N  G  A  L  : 


What  more  remains  but  now  with  Height, 
What's  left  of  us  to  lave  by  flight  ? 

Now  raife  thine  eyes  for  vifions  true 
Again  afcending  wait  thy  view." 
I  iook'd  and  clad  in  early  light, 
The  fpires  of  Bofton  rofe  to  fight ; 
The  morn  o'er  eaftern  hills  afar, 
Illum'd  the  varying  fcenes  of  war. 
Great  Howe  had  long  fince  in  the  lap 
Of  Loring  taken  out  his  nap, 
And  with  the  fun's  afcending  ray, 
The  cuckold  came  to  take  his  pay1**. 
When  all  th'  encircling  hills  around, 
With  inftantaneous  breaftworks  crown'd, 
With  pointed  thunders  met  his  fight, 
By  magic  rear'd  the  former  night. 
Each  fummit,  far  as  eye  commands, 
Shone  peopled  with  rebellious  bands49. 
Aloft  their  tow'ring  heroes  rife, 
As  Titans  erlt  affaiPd  the  fkies50, 
Leagued  with  fuperior  force  to  prove, 
The  iccptcr'd  hand  of  Britiih  Jove. 


Mounds 


FOURTH.]  THEVlSION.  I  3  I 

Mounds  piled  on  hills  afcended  fair 
With  batt'ries  placed  in  middle  air, 
That  rais'd  like  angry  clouds  on  high 
Seem'd  like  th'  artill'ry  of  the  Iky, 
And  hurl'd  their  fiery  bolts  amain, 
In  thunder  on  the  trembling  plain. 
1  faw  along  the  proflrate  ftrand, 
Our  baffled  Gen'rals  quit  the  land, 
And  fwift  as  frighted  mermaids  flee, 
T'  our  boafted  element,  the  fea 51 ! 
Refign  that  long  contefted  fhore, 
Again  the  prize  of  rebel-power, 
And  tow'rd  their  town  of  refuge  fly, 
Like  convicl  Jews  condemn'd  to  diea". 

Then  tow'rd  the  north,  I  turn'd  my  eyes, 
Where  Saratoga's  heights  arife, 
And  faw  our  chofen  vet'ran  band, 
Defcend  in  terror  o'er  the  land 53 ; 
T'  oppofe  this  fury  of  alarms, 
Saw  all  New-England  wake  to  arms, 
And  ev'ry  Yanky  full  of  mettle, 

Swarm  forth,  like  bees  at  found  of  kettle5*. 

Nor 


132  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Not  Rome,  when  Tarquin  raped  Lucretia65, 
Saw  wilder  muft'ring  of  militia. 
Thro'  all  the  woods  and  plains  of  fight, 
What  mortal  battles  fill'd  my  fight, 
While  Britifh  corfes  ftrew'd  the  fhore, 
And  Hudfon  ting'd  his  ftreams  with  gore  ! 
What  tongue  can  tell  the  difmal  day, 
Or  paint  the  party-color'd  fray  ; 
When  yeomen  left  their  fields  afar, 
To  plow  the  crimfon  plains  of  war ; 
When  zeal  to  fwords  transformed  their  mares, 
And  turn'd  their  pruning-hooks  to  fpcars, 
Chang'd  tailor's  geefe  to  guns  and  ball, 
And  rtrctch'd  to  pikes  the  cobler's  awl56; 
While  hunters  fierce  like  mighty  Nimrod, 
Made  on  our  troops  a  daring  inroad  ; 
And  levelling  fquint  on  barrel  round, 
brought  our  beau-ofHcers  to  ground  57 ; 
Awhile  rifle-frocks  fent  Gen'rals  cap'ring, 
And  redcoats  fhrunk  from  leathern  apron, 
And  epaulette  and  gorget  run 

From  whinyard  brown  and  rufty  gun  : 

While 


FOURTH.]  THE   VISION.  133 

While  funburnt  wigs  in  high  command, 
Rum  furious  on  our  frighted  band, 
And  anticnt  beards  and  hoary  hair, 
Like  meteors  ftream  in  troubled  air 58. 
With  locks  unfhorn  not  Samfon  more 
Made  ufelefs  all  the  mow  of  war, 
Nor  fought  with  aflcs'jaw  for  rarity, 
With  more  fuccefs  or  fingularity59. 
I  faw  our  vet'ran  thoufands  yield 
And  pile  their  mulkets  on  the  field, 
And  peafant  guards  in  rueful  plight 
March  off  our  captured  bands  from  fight ; 
While  ev'ry  rebel-fife  in  play, 
To  Yanky-doodle  tun'd  its  lay, 
And  like  the  mufic  of  the  fpheres, 
Mellifluous  footh'd  their  vanquifli'd  ears60. 

"  Alas,  faid  I,  what  baleful  ftar, 
Sheds  fatal  influence  on  the  war, 
And  who  that  chofen  Chief  of  fame, 
That  heads  this  grand  parade  of  fhame  ?  " 

"  There  fee  how  fate,  great  Malcolm  cried, 
Strikes  with  its  bolts  the  tow'rs  of  pride. 

Behold 


134  M'FINGAL:  [CANTO 

Behold  chat  martial  Macaroni61, 
Compound  of  Phoebus  and  Bcllona62, 
With  warlike  fword  and  fingfong  lay, 
Equipp'd  alike  for  feaft  or  fray, 
Where  equal  wit  and  valour  join  ; 
This,  this  is  he,  the  famed  Burgoyne63: 
Who  pawn'd  his  honor  and  commiffion, 
To  coax  the  Patriots  to  fubmiffion, 
By  fongs  and  balls  fecure  obedience, 
And  dance  the  ladies  to  allegiance04. 
Oft  his  camp  mufes  he'll  parade, 
At  Bofton  in  the  grand  blockade, 
And  well  invoked  with  punch  of  arrack, 
Hold  converfe  fweet  in  tent  or  barrack, 
Infpired  in  more  heroic  fafhion, 
Both  by  his  theme  and  fituation  ; 
While  farce  and  proclamation  grand, 
Rife  fair  beneath  his  plaftic  hand65. 
For  genius  fwells  more  ftrong  and  clear 
When  clofe  confin'd,  like  bottled  beer : 
So  Prior's  wit  gain'd  greater  pow'r, 
By  infpiration  of  the  tow'r6<!; 

And 


FOURTH.]  THE    VISION.  135 

And  Raleigh  fafl  in  prifon  hurl'd 

Wrote  all  the  hift'ry  of  the  world 6r : 

So  Wilkes  grew,  while  in  goal  he  lay, 

More  patriotic  ev'ry  day, 

But  found  his  zeal,  when  not  confin'd, 

Soon  fink  below  the  freezing  point, 

And  public  fpirit  once  fo  fair, 

Evaporate  in  open  air  °8. 

But  thou,  great  favorite  of  Venus, 

By  no  fuch  luck  flialt  cramp  thy  genius ; 

Thy  friendly  ftars  till  wars  mall  ceafe, 

Shall  ward  th'  illfortune  of  releafe, 

And  hold  thee  fart  in  bonds  not  feeble, 

In  good  condition  ftill  to  fcribble. 

Such  merit  fate  mail  fliield  from  firing, 

Bomb,  carcafe,  langridge  and  cold  iron, 

Nor  trufts  thy  doubly  laurell'd  head,    . 

To  rude  affaults  of  flying  lead. 

Hence  in  this  Saratogue  retreat, 

For  pure  good  fortune  thou'lt  be  beat ; 

Nor  taken  oft,  releas'd  or  refcued, 

Pafs  for  fmall  change,  like  funple  Prefcott 69 ; 

But 


136  M'FINSAL  :  [CANTO 

But  captured  there,  as  fates  befall, 
Shalt  ftand  thy  hand  for't,  once  for  all. 
Then  raife  thy  daring  thoughts  fublime, 
And  dip  thy  conq'ring  pen  in  rhyme, 
And  changing  war  for  puns  and  jokes, 
Write  new  Blockades  and  Maids  of  Oaks."  10 

This  faid,  he  turn'd,  and  faw  the  tale, 
Had  dyed  my  trembling  cheeks  with  pale  ; 
Then  pitying  in  a  milder  vein 
Purfued  the  vifionary  ftrain. 

"  Too  much  perhaps  hath  pain'd  your  views 
Of  vidl'ries  gain'd  by  rebel  crews  ; 
Now  fee  the  deeds  not  fmall  or  fcanty, 
Of  Britifh  Valor  and  Humanity  ; 
And  learn  from  this  aufpicious  fight, 
How  England's  fons  and  friends  can  fight ; 
In  what  dread  fcenes  their  courage  grows, 
And  how  they  conquer  all  their  foes." 

I  look'd  and  faw  in  wintry  fkies 
Our  fpacious  prison-walls  arife, 

Where 


FOURTH.]  THE    VISION.  137 

Where  Britons  all  their  captives  taming, 

Plied  them  with  fcourging,  cold  and  famine ; 

Reduced  to  life's  concluding  ftages, 

By  noxious  food  and  plagues  contagious. 

Aloft  the  mighty  Loring  flood, 

And  thrived,  like  Vampyre,  on  their  blood, 

And  counting  all  his  gains  arifmg, 

Dealt  daily  rations  out  of  poifon. 

Amid  the  dead  that  croud  the  fcene, 

The  moving  fkeletons  were  feen11. 

At  hand  our  troops  in  vaunting  {trains, 

Infulted  all  their  wants  and  pains, 

And  turn'd  on  all  the  dying  tribe, 

The  bitter  taunt  and  fcornful  gibe  : 

And  Britifh  officers  of  might, 

Triumphant  at  the  joyful  fight, 

O'er  foes  difarm'd  with  courage  daring, 

Exhaufled  all  their  tropes  of  fwearing. 

Around  all  ftain'd  with  rebel  blood, 

Like  Milton's  lazar  houfe  it  flood72, 

Where  grim  Defpair  attended  nurfe, 

And  Death  was  Gov'rnor  of  the  houfe. 

Amaz'd 


138  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Amaz'd  I  cried,  "  Is  this  the  way, 

That  Britifh  Valour  wins  the  day  ? " 

More  had  I  faid,  in  ftrains  unwelcome, 

Till  interrupted  thus  by  Malcolm : 

"  Blame  not,  quoth  he,  but  learn  the  reafon 

Of  this  new  mode  of  conq'ring  treafon. 

'Tis  but  a  wife,  politic  plan, 

To  root  out  all  the  rebel-clan  ; 

(For  furely  treafon  ne'er  can  thrive, 

Where  not  a  foul  is  left  alive  :) 

A  fcheme,  all  other  chiefs  to  furpafs, 

And  to  do  th'  effectual  work  to  purpofe. 

For  war  itfelf  is  nothing  farther, 

But  th'  art  and  myftery  of  murther", 

And  who  moft  methods  has  eflay'd, 

Is  the  beft  Gen'ral  of  the  trade, 

And  ftands  Death's  Plenipotentiary, 

To  conquer,  poifon,  ftarve  and  bury. 

This  Howe  well  knew,  and  thus  began, 

(Defpifmg  Carlton's  coaxing  plan, 

Who  kept  his  pris'ners  well  and  merry, 

And  dealt  them  food  like  Commiffary, 

And 


FOURTH.]  T  H  E   V  i  s  i  o  N  .  139 

And  by  paroles  and  ranfoms  vain, 
Difmifs'd  them  all  to  fight  again  :)74 
Whence  his  firfl  captives  with  great  fpirit, 
He  tied  up  for  his  troops  to  fire  at78, 
And  hoped  they'd  learn  on  foes  thus  taken, 
To  aim  at  rebels  without  making. 
Then  wife  in  ftratagem  he  plann'd 
The  fure  deftruftion  of  the  land, 
Turn'd  famine,  ficknefs  and  defpair, 
To  ufeful  enginry  of  war, 
Inftead  of  cannon,  mufket,  mortar, 
Ufed  pcftilence  and  death  and  torture, 
Sent  forth  the  fmall  pox  and  the  greate    ', 
To  thin  the  land  of  ev'ry  traitor, 
And  order'd  out  with  like  endeavour, 
Detachments  of  the  prifon-fever17; 
Spread  defolation  o'er  their  head, 
And  plagues  in  Providence's  flead, 
Pcrform'd  with  equal  fkill  and  beauty, 
Th'  avenging  angel's  tour  of  duty, 
Brought  all  the  elements  to  join, 
And  flars  t'  affift  the  great  defign, 

As 


1 40  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  L  :  [CANTO 

As  once  in  league  with  Kifhon's  brook, 
Famed  Ifrael's  foes  they  fought  and  took18. 
Then  proud  to  raife  a  glorious  name, 
And  em'lous  of  his  country's  fame, 
He  bade  thefe  prison-walls  arifc, 
Like  temple  tow'ring  to  the  fkies, 
Where  Britim  Clemency  renown'd, 
Might  fix  her  feat  on  facred  ground ; 
(That  Virtue,  as  each  herald  faith, 
Of  whole  blood  kin  to  Punic  Faith)  ™ 
Where  all  her  Godlike  pow'rs  unveiling, 
She  finds  a  grateful  mrine  to  dwell  in. 
Then  at  this  altar  for  her  honor, 
Chofe  this  Highprieft  to  wait  upon  her, 
Who  with  juft  rites,  in  antient  guifes, 
Prefents  thefe  human  facrifices ; 
Great  Loring,  famed  above  laymen, 
A  proper  Prieft  for  Lybian  Ammon, 
Who,  while  Howe's  gift  his  brows  adorns, 
Had  match'd  that  deity  in  horns80. 
Here  ev'ry  day  her  vot'ries  tell 
She  more  devours  than  th'  idol  Bel S1 ; 

And 


FOURTH.]  THE   VISION.  14! 

And  thirfts  more  rav'noufly  for  gore, 

Than  any  worfhrpp'd  Pow'r  before. 

That  antient  Heathen  Godhead,  Moloch, 

Oft  ftay'd  his  ftomach  with  a  bullock, 

Or  if  his  morning  rage  you'd  check  firft, 

One  child  fufficed  him  for  a  breakfafl8'; 

But  Britifh  Clemency  with  zeal 

Devours  her  hundreds  at  a  meal, 

Right  well  by  Nat'ralifts  defined, 

A  Being  of  carniv'rous  kind. 

So  erft  Gargantua  pleas'd  his  palate, 

And  eat  his  pilgrims  up  for  fallad83. 

Not  bleft  with  maw  lefs  ceremonious, 

The  wide-mouth'd  whale  that  fwallow'd  Jonas84; 

Like  earthquake  gapes,  to  death  devote, 

That  open  fepulchre,  her  throat ; 

The  grave,  or  barren  womb  you'd  fluff, 

And  fooner  bring  to  cry,  enough ; 

Or  fatten  up  to  fair  condition, 

The  leanflefh'd  kine  of  Pharaoh's  vifion85. 

Behold  her  temple  where  it  ftands 
Ereft  by  famed  Britannic  hands ; 

Tis 


142  M'FINGAL:  [CANTO 

'Tis  the  blackhole  of  Indian  ftrudlure, 
New-built  with  Englifh  architecture, 
On  plan,  'tis  faid,  contrived  and  wrote. 
By  Clive,  before  he  cut  his  throat86; 
Who  ere  he  took  himfelf  in  hand, 
Was  her  Highorieft  in  Nabob-land s; : 
And  when  with  conq'ring  glory  crows'd, 
He'd  well  enflav'd  the  nation  round, 
With  pitying  heart  the  gen'rous  chief, 
(Since  flav'ry's  worfe  than  lofs  of  life) 
Bade  dcfolation  circle  far, 
And  famine  end  the  work  of  war  ; 
Thus  loofed  their  chains  and  for  their  merits, 
Difmifs'd  them  free  to  worlds  of  fpirits : 
Whence  they  with  gratitude  and  praife, 
Return'd  to  attend  his  latter  days, 
And  hov'ring  round  his  reftlefs  bed, 
Spread  nightly  vifions  o'er  his  head88. 

"  Now  turn,  he  cried,  to  nobler  fights, 
And  mark  the  prowefs  of  our  fights : 
Behold  like  whelps  of  Britim  Lyon, 
The  warriors,  Clinton,  Vaughan  and  Trvon  8', 

March 


FOURTH.]  THE    VISION.  14} 

March  forth  with  patriotic  joy, 

To  ravifh,  plunder,  burn,  dcllroy. 

Great  Gen'rals  foremoft  in  the  nation, 

The  journeymen  of  Defolation  ! 

Like  Samfon's  foxes  each  affails, 

Let  loofc  with  firebrands  in  their  tails, 

And  fpreads  destruction  more  forlorn, 

Than  they  did  in  Philiilinc  corn90. 

And  fee  in  flames  their  triumphs  rife, 

Illuming  all  the  nether  Ikies, 

And  dreaming,  like  a  new  Aurora, 

The  weftcrn  hemifphere  with  glory  ! 

What  towns  in  afhes  laid  confefs 

Thefe  heroes'  prowefs  and  fuccefs ! 

What  blackcn'd  walls,  or  burning  fane, 

For  trophies  fpread  the  ruin'd  plain  ! 

What  females  caught  in  evil  hour, 

By  force  fubmit  to  Britifh  power, 

Or  plunder'd  Negroes  in  difafter 

Confefs  king  George  their  lord  and  maftcr ! 

What  crimfon  corfes  ftrew  their  way 

Till  fmoaking  carnage  dims  the  day  ! 

Along 


1 44  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Along  the  fhorc  for  furc  reduction 

They  wield  their  bcfom  of  definition. 

Great  Homer  likens,  in  his  Ilias, 

To  dogftar  bright  the  fierce  Achilles ; 

But  ne'er  beheld  in  red  proccffion, 

Three  dogftars-rife  in  conftellation  ; 

Or  faw  in  glooms  of  ev'ning  mifty, 

Such  figns  of  fiery  triplicity, 

Which  far  beyond  the  comet's  tail, 

Portend  deftruftion  where  they  fail 91. 

Oh  had  Great-Britain's  godlike  more, 

Produced  but  ten  fuch  heroes  more, 

They'd  fpared  the  pains  and  held  the  flation, 

Of  this  world's  final  conflagration, 

Which  when  its  time  comes,  at  a  ftand, 

Would  find  its  work  all  done  t'  its  hand ! 

Yet  tho'  gay  hopes  our  eyes  may  blefs ; 
Indignant  fate  forbids  fuccefs ; 
Like  morning  dreams  our  conqueft  flies, 
Difperf'd  before  the  dawn  arife." 

Here 


FOURTH.]  THE    VISION.  145 

Here  Malcolm  paus'd  ;  when  pond'ring  long, 
Grief  thus  gave  utt'rance  to  my  tongue. 
"  Where  fhrink  in  fear  our  friends  difmay'd, 
And  all  the  Tories'  promis'd  aid, 
Can  none  amid  thefe  fierce  alarms, 
Affift  the  pow'r  of  royal  arms  ? " 
"  In  vain,  he  cried,  our  king  depends, 
On  promis'd  aid  of  Tory-friends 9e. 
When  our  own  efforts  want  fuccefs, 
Friends  ever  fail  as  fears  increafe. 
As  leaves  in  blooming  verdure  wove, 
In  warmth  of  fummer  cloath  the  grove, 
But  when  autumnal  frofts  arife, 
Leave  bare  their  trunks  to  wintry  fkies ; 
So  while  your  pow'r  can  aid  their  ends, 
You  ne'er  can  need  ten  thoufand  friends, 
But  once  in  want  by  foes  difmay'd, 
May  advertife  them  ftol'n  or  ftray'd. 
Thus  ere  Great-Britain's  flrength  grew  flack, 
She  gain'd  that  aid,  me  did  not  lack, 
But  now  in  dread,  imploring  pity, 

All  hear  unmov'd  her  dol'rous  ditty  ; 

Allegiance 


1 46  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  i.  :  [CANTO 

Allegiance  wand'ring  turns  aftray, 

And  Faith  grows  dim  for  lack  of  pay 

In  vain  flic  tries  by  new  inventions, 

Fear,  falfliood,  flatt'ry,  threats  and  penfions, 

Or  fends  Commifs'ners  with  credentials 

Of  promifcs  and  penitentials93. 

As  for  his  fare  o'er  Styx  of  old, 

The  Trojan  ftole  the  bough  of  gold, 

And  leaft  grim  Cerberus  fliouid  make  head, 

Stuff'd  both  his  fobs  with  gingerbread94; 

Behold  at  Britain's  utmoft  fhifts, 

Comes  Johnftone  loaded  with  like  gifts, 

To  venture  thro'  the  Whiggifh  tribe, 

To  cuddle,  wheedle,  coax  and  bribe"", 

Enter  their  lands  and  on  his  journey, 

Pofleflion  take,  as  King's  Attorney, 

Buy  all  the  vaflals  to  proteft  him, 

And  bribe  the  tenants  not  t'  ejecl  him  : 

And  call  to  aid  his  defp'rate  miffion, 

His  petticoated  politician, 

While  Venus  join'd  t'  affift  the  farce, 

Strolls  forth  Embafladrefs  for  Mars9". 

In 


FOURTH.]  THE   VISION.  147 

In  vain  he  drives,  for  while  he  lingers, 
Thcfe  maftiffi  bite  his  off'ring  fingers ; 
Nor  buys  for  George  and  realms  infernal, 
One  fpaniel,  but  the  mongrel  Arnold97. 

"  'Twere  vain  to  paint  in  viiion'd  (how, 
The  mighty  nothings  done  by  Howe  ; 
What  towns  he  takes  in  mortal  fray, 
As  ftations,  whence  to  run  away  ; 
What  conquefts  gain'd  in  battles  warm, 
To  us  no  aid,  to  them  no  harm  ; 
For  ftill  the  event  alike  is  fatal, 
What'er  fuccefs  attend  the  battle, 
If  he  gain  vidlory,  or  lofe  it, 
Who  ne'er  had  fkill  enough  to  ufe  it " ; 
And  better  'twere  at  their  expence, 
T'  have  drubb'd  him  into  common  fenfe, 
And  wak'd  by  ballings  on  his  rear, 
Th'  aftivity,  tho'  but  of  fear. 
By  flow  advance  his  arms  prevail, 
Like  emblematic  march  of  fnail ; 
That  be  Millennium  nigh  or  far, 
'Twould  long  before  him  end  the  war. 

From 


148  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

From  York  to  Philadelphian  ground, 
He  fweeps  the  mighty  flourifh  round, 
WheePd  circ'lar  by  excentric  ftars, 
Like  racing  boys  at  prifon-bars, 
Who  take  the  adverfe  crew  in  whole, 
By  running  round  the  opp'fite  goal ; 
Works  wide  the  traverfe  of  his  courfe, 
Like  fhip  m  florins'  oppofmg  force, 
Like  millhorfe  circling  in  his  race, 
Advances  not  a  Jingle  pace, 
And  leaves  no  trophies  of  reduction, 
Save  that  of  cankerworms,  deftru&ion. 
Thus  having  long  both  countries  curfl, 
He  quits  them,  as  he  found  them  firfl, 
Steers  home  difgraced,  of  little  worth, 
To  join  Burgoyne  and  rail  at  North  ". 

Now  raife  thine  eyes,  and  view  with  pleafure, 
The  triumphs  of  his  famed  fuccefTor."  10° 
I  look'd,  and  now  by  magic  lore, 
Faint  rofe  to  view  the  Jerfey  more ; 
But  dimly  feen,  in  glooms  array'd, 
For  Night  had  pourM  her  fable  made, 

And 


FOURTH.]  THE   VISION.  149 

And  ev'ry  ftar,  with  glimm'rings  pale, 
Was  muffled  deep  in  ev'ning  veil : 
Scarce  vifible  in  dufky  night, 
Advancing  redcoats  rofe  to  fight ; 
The  lengthen'd  train  in  gleaming  rows 
Stole  filent  from  their  flumb'ring  foes, 
Slow  moved  the  baggage  and  the  train, 
Like  fnail  crept  noifelefs  o'er  the  plain ; 
No  trembling  foldier  dared  to  fpeak, 
And  not  a  wheel  prefum'd  to  creak lot. 
My  looks  my  new  furprize  confefs'd 
Till  by  great  Malcolm  thus  addrefs'd  :  " 
"  Spend  not  thy  wits  in  vain  researches ; 
'Tis  one  of  Clinton's  moonlight  marches. 
From  Philadelphia  now  retreating, 
To  fave  his  anxious  troops  a  beating, 
With  hafty  flride  he  flies  in  vain, 
His  rear  attack'd  on  Monmouth  plain  : 
With  various  chance  the  mortal  fray 
Is  lengthen'd  to  the  clofe  of  day, 
When  his  tired  bands  o'ermatch'd  in  fight, 
Are  refcued  by  defcending  night 1M ; 

He 


150  M  '  F  I  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTC 

He  forms  his  camp  with  vain  parade, 
Till  ev'ning  fpreads  the  world  with  fhade, 
Then  ftill,  like  fome  endanger'd  fpark, 
Steals  off  on  tiptoe  in  the  dark ; 
Yet  writes  his  king  in  boafting  tone, 
How  grand  he  march'd  by  light  of  moon  10J. 
I  fee  him ;  but  thou  canfl  not ;  proud 
He  leads  in  front  the  trembling  croud, 
And  wifely  knows,  if  danger's  near, 
'Twill  fall  the  heavieft  on  his  rear  104  . 
Go  on,  great  Gen'ral,  nor  regard 
The  feoffs  of  ev'ry  fcribling  Bard, 

Who  fing  how  Gods  that  fatal  night 

• 
Aided  by  miracles  your  flight, 

As  once  they  ufed,  in  Homer's  day, 
To  help  weak  heroes  run  away  ; 
Tell  how  the  hours  at  awful  trial, 
Went  back,  as  erft  on  Ahaz'  dial, 
While  Britifh  Jofhua  ftay'd  the  moon, 
On  Mcnmouth  plains  for  Ajalon  : 
Heed  not  their  fneers  and  gibes  fo  arch, 
Becaufe  me  fct  before  your  march105. 

A  final] 


FOURTH.]  THEVlSION.  I  5  1 

A  fmall  miftake,  your  meaning  right, 
You  take  her  influence  for  her  light ; 
Her  influence,  which  {hall  be  your  guide, 
And  o'er  your  Gen'ralfhip  prefide. 
Hence  ftill  fhall  teem  your  empty  fkull, 
With  vift'ries  when  the  moon's  at  full, 
Which  by  tranfition  yet  more  ftrange, 
Wane  to  defeats  before  the  change  ; 
Hence  all  your  movements,  all  your  notions 
Shall  fteer  by  like  excentric  motions, 
Eclips'd  in  many  a  fatal  crifis, 
And  dimm'd  when  Wafhington  arifes. 
And  fee  how  Fate,  herfelf  turn'd  traitor, 
Inverts  the  antient  courfe  of  nature, 
And  changes  manners,  tempers,  climes, 
To  fuit  the  genius  of  the  times. 
See  Bourbon  forms  his  gen'rous  plan, 
Firft  guardian  of  the  rights  of  man, 
And  prompt  in  firm  alliance  joins, 
To  aid  the  Rebels  proud  defigns 10". 
Behold  from  realms  of  eaftern  day, 
His  fails  innum'rous  fhape  their  way.. 

In 


152  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

In  warlike  line  the  billows  fweep, 

And  roll  the  thunders  of  the  deep  107. 

See  low  in  equinoctial  fkics, 

The  Weftern  Iflands  fall  their  prize  10S, 

See  Britifh  flags  o'ermatch'd  in  might, 

Put  all  their  faith  in  inftant  flight, 

Or  broken  fquadrons  from  th'  affray, 

Drag  flow  their  wounded  hulks  away. 

Behold  his  chiefs  in  daring  fetts, 

D'Eitaings 109,  De  Grafles1'0  and  Fayettes ln, 

Spread  thro'  our  camps  their  dread  alarms, 

And  fvvell  the  fears'  of  rebel-arms. 

Yet  ere  our  empire  fink  in  night, 

One  gleam  of  hope  lhall  itrike  the  fight ; 

As  lamps  that  fail  of  oil  and  fire, 

Colleft  one  glimmering  to  expire. 

And  lo  where  fouthern  fliores  extend, 

Behold  our  union'd  hofls  dcfcend, 

Where  Charleftown  views  with  varying  beams, 

Her  turrets  gild  th'  encircling  ftreams. 

There  by  fuperior  might  compell'd, 

Behold  their  gallant  Lincoln  yield, 

Nor 


FOURTH.]  THE    VISION.  153 

Nor  aught  the  wreaths  avail  him  now, 

Pluck'd  from  Burgoyne's  imperious  brow11*. 

See  furious  from  the  vanquifh'd  ftrand, 

Cornwallis  leads  his  mighty  band  ! 

The  fouthern  realms  and  Georgian  more 

Submit  and  own  the  viftor's  pow'r, 

Lo,  funk  before  his  wafting  way, 

The  Carolinas  fall  his  prey113! 

In  vain  embattled  hofts  of  foes 

Eflay  in  warring  ftrife  t'  oppofe. 

See  fhrinking  from  his  conq'ring  eye, 

The  rebel  legions  fall  or  fly  m ; 

And  with'ring  in  thefe  torrid  flues, 

The  northern  laurel  fades  and  dies 11S. 

With  rapid  force  he  leads  his  band 

To  fair  Virginia's  fated  ftrand, 

Triumphant  eyes  the  travell'd  zone, 

And  boafts  the  fouthern  realms  his  own116, 

Nor  yet  this  hero's  glories  bright 

Blaze  only  in  the  fields  of  fight ; 

Not  Howe's  humanity  more  deferving, 

In  gifts  of  hanging  and  of  ftarving ; 

Not 


154  M'FINGAL  :  [CANTO 

Not  Arnold  plunders  more  tobacco, 

Or  fteals  more  Negroes  for  Jamaica  in  ; 

Scarce  Rodney's  felf  among  th'  Euftatians, 

Infults  fo  well  the  laws  of  nations  ns ; 

Ev'n  Tryon's  fame  grows  dim,  and  mourning, 

He  yields  the  laurel  crown  of  burning119. 

I  fee  with  rapture  and  furprize, 

New  triumphs  fparkling  in  thine  eyes. 

But  view  where  now  renew'd  in  might, 

Again  the  rebels  dare  the  fight." 

I  look'd  and  far  in  fouthern  fkies, 
Saw  Greene,  their  fecond  hope,  arife, 
And  with  his  finall  but  gallant  band, 
Invade  the  Carolinian  land  m. 
As  winds  in  ftormy  circles  whirl'd 
Rufh  billowing  o'er  the  darken'd  world 
And  where  their  wafting  fury  roves, 
Succeffive  fweep  th'  aftonifh'd  groves ; 
Thus  where  he  pours  the  rapid  fight, 
Our  boafted  conquefts  Jink  in  night, 
And  wide  o'er  all  th'  extended  field, 

Our  forts  refign,  our  armies  yield, 

Till 


FOURTH.]  T  H  E     V  I  S  I  O  N  .  155 

Till  now  regain'd  the  vanquifh'd  land, 
He  lifts  his  ftandard  on  the  ftrand  m: 

Again  to  fair  Virginia's  coaft, 
I  turn'd  and  view'd  the  Britifh  hoft. 
Where  Chefapeak's  wide  waters  lave 
Her  mores  and  join  th'  Atlantic  wave, 
There  fam'd  Cornwallis  tow'ring  rofe, 
And  fcorn'd  fecure  his  diftant  foes ; 
His  bands  the  haughty  rampart  raife, 
And  bid  th'  imperial  ftandard  blaze  122. 
When  lo,  where  ocean's  bounds  extend, 
I  faw  the  Gallic  fails  afcend, 
With  fav'ring  breezes  ftem  their  way, 
And  croud  with  mips  the  fpacious  bay  193. 
Lo  Wafhington  from  northern  mores, 
O'er  many  a  region,  wheels  his  force, 
And  Rochambeau  with  legions  bright, 
Defcends  in  terrors  to  the  fight  m. 
Not  fwifter  cleaves  his  rapid  way, 
The  eagle  cow'ring  o'er  his  prey, 
Or  knights  in  fam'd  romance  that  fly 
On  fairy  pinions  thro'  the  iky. 

Amaz'd 


1,6  M'FlNGAL:  [CANTC 

Amaz'd  the  Briton's  ftartled  pride, 
Sees  ruin  wake -on  ev'ry  fide; 
And  all  his  troops  to  fate  confign'd, 
By  inftantaneous  ftrokc  Burgoyn'd  1J5. 
Not  Cadmus  view'd  with  more  furprize, 
From  earth  embattled  armies  rife, 
When  by  fuperior  pow'r  impell'd, 
He  fow'd  with  dragon's  teeth  the  field 4M. 
Here  Gallic  troops  in  terror  ftand, 
There  rum  in  arms  the  Rebel  band ; 
Nor  hope  remains  from  mortal  fight, 
Or  that  laft  Britifh  refuge,  flight  HT. 
1  faw  with  looks  downcaft  and  grave, 
The  Chief  emerging  from  his  cave  m, 
(Where  chaced  like  hare  in  mighty  round, 
His  hunters  earth'd  him  firft  in  ground) 
And  doom'd  by  fate  to  rebel  fway, 
Yield  all  his  captur'd  hofts  a  prey  li9. 

There  while  I  view'd  the  vanquim'd  town, 
Thus  with  a  figh  my  friend  went  on  : 
"  Beholdft  thou  not  that  band  forlorn, 
Like  flaves  in  Roman  triumphs  borne130; 

Their 


FOURTH.]  THE   VISION.  157 

Their  faces  length'ning  with  their  fears, 
And  cheeks  diftain'd  with  ftreams  of  tears, 
Like  dramatis  perfonae  fage, 
Equipt  to  aft  on  Tyburn's  ftage. 
Lo  thefe  are  they,  who  lur'd  by  follies, 
Left  all  and  follow'd  great  Cornwallis  ; 
True  to  their  King,  with  firm  devotion, 
For  confcience  fake  and  hop'd  promotion, 
Expeftant  of  the  promis'd  glories, 
And  new  Millennial  ftate  of  Tories. 
Alas,  in  vain,  all  doubts  forgetting, 
They  tried  th'  omnipotence  of  Britain  ; 
But  found  her  arm,  once  ftrong  and  brave, 
So  fhorten'd  now  me  cannot  fave. 
Not  more  aghaft  departed  fouls, 
Who  rifk'd  their  fate  on  Popifh  bulls 18J, 
And  find  St.  Peter  at  the  wicket 
Refufe  to  counterfign  their  ticket, 
When  driv'n  to  purgatory  back, 
With  all  their  pardons  in  their  pack  : 
Than  Tories  muft'ring  at  their  ftations 
On  faith  of  royal  proclamations 13Z, 


158  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  i.  :  [CANT« 

As  Pagan  Chiefs  at  ev'ry  crifis, 
Confirm'd  their  leagues  by  facrifices, 
And  herds  of  beafts  to  all  their  deities, 
Oblation's  fell  at  clofe  of  treaties  : 
Cornwallis  thus  in  antient  fafhion, 
Concludes  his  league  of  cap'tulation, 
And  vidims  due  to  Rebel-glories, 
Gives  this  an  off'ring  up  of  Tories. 
See  where  reliev'd  from  fad  embargo, 
Steer  off  confign'd  a  recreant  cargo, 
Like  old  fcapegoats  to  roam  in  pain, 
Mark'd  like  their  great  forerunner,  Cain  m. 
The  reft,  now  doom'd  by  Britifh  leagues, 
To  juftice  of  refentful  Whigs, 
Hold  worthlefs  lives  on  tenure  ill, 
Of  tenancy  at  Rebel-will, 
While  hov'ring  o'er  their  forfeit  pcrfons, 
The  gallows  waits  his  fure  reverfions. 

Thou  too,  M'Fingal,  ere  that  day, 
Shalt  tafte  the  terrors  of  th'  affray. 
See  o'er  thee  hangs  in  angry  fkies, 
Where  Whiggifh  conftellations  rife, 

And 


FOURTH.]  THEVlSION.  1 59 

And  while  plebeian  figns  afcend, 

Their  mob-infpiring  afpedls  r^end  ; 

That  baleful  Star,  whofe  horrid  hair lal 

Shakes  forth  the  plagues  of  down  and  tar ! 

I  fee  the  pole,  that  rears  on  high 

Its  flag  terrific  thro'  the  fky  ; 

The  Mob  beneath  prepar'd  t'  attack, 

And  tar  predeftin'd  for  thy  back ! 

Ah  quit,  my  friend,  this  dang'rous  home, 

Nor  wait  the  darker  fcenes  to  come  ; 

For  know  that  Fate's  aufpicious  door, 

Once  fhut  to  flight  is  oped  no  more, 

Nor  wears  its  hinge  by  various  ftations, 

Like  Mercy's  door  in  proclamations 135. 

But  lell  thou  paufe,  or  doubt  to  fly, 
To  ftranger  vifions  turn  thine  eye  : 
Each  cloud  that  dimm'd  thy  mental  ray, 
And  all  the  mortal  mifts  decay  ; 
See  more  than  human  Pow'rs  befriend, 
And  lo  their  hoftile  forms  afcend  ! 
See  tow'ring  o'er  th'  extended  ftrand, 

The  Genius  of  the  weilern  land, 

In 


1 60  M  '  F  i  N  c  A  L  :  [CANTO 

In  vengeance  arm'd,  his  fword  affiimes, 

And  (lands,  like  Tories*  drefl  in  plumes 136. 

See  o'er  yon  Council  feat  with  pride, 

How  Freedom  fprcads  her  banners  wide  137  ! 

There  Patriotism  with  torch  addrefs'd, 

To  fire  with  zeal  each  daring  breaft  ! 

While  all  the  Virtues  in  their  band, 

Efcape  from  yon  unfriendly  land, 

Defert  their  antient  Britifh  ftation, 

Pofleft  with  rage  of  emigration. 

Honor,  his  bufinefs  at  a  ftand, 

For  fear  of  ftarving  quits  their  land ; 

And  Juftice,  long  difgraced  at  Court,  had 

By  Mansfield's  fentence  been  tranfportcd  m. 

Vift'ry  and  Fame  attend  their  way, 

Tho'  Britain  wifh  their  longer  flay, 

Care  not  what  George  or  North139  would  be  at, 

Nor  heed  their  writs  of  ne  exeat  un; 

But  fired  with  love  of  colonizing, 

Quit  the  fall'n  empire  for  the  rifmg." 

I  look'd  and  faw  with  horror  fmitten, 
Thefc  hoftile  pow'rs  averfe  to  Britain. 

Whet, 


FOURTH.]  THE    VISION.  161 

When  lo,  an  awful  fpcftre  rofe141, 

With  languid  palcnefs  on  his  brows ; 

Wan  dropiies  fwell'd  his  form  beneath, 

And  iced  his  bloated  cheeks  with  death ; 

His  tatter'd  robes  expofed  him  bare, 

To  cv'ry  bluft  of  ruder  air ; 

On  two  weak  crutches  propt  he  flood, 

That  bent  at  cv'ry  flep  he  trod, 

Gilt  titles  graced  their  fides  fo  flcnder, 

One,  "Regulation,"  t'other,  "  Tender  U4 ;" 

His  breaftplate  grav'd  with  various  dates, 

"  The  faith  of  all  th'  United  States 14J :  " 

Before  him  went  his  fun'ral  pall, 

His  grave  flood  dug  to  wait  his  fall. 

I  ftarted,  and  aghaft  I  cried, 

"  What  means  this  fpcftre  at  their  fide  ? 

What  danger  from  a  Pow'r  fo  vain, 

And  why  he  joins  that  fplendid  train  ?  " 

"  Alas,  great  Malcolm  cried,  experience 

Might  teach  you  not  to  trull  appearance. 

Here  ftands,  as  dreft  by  fierce  Bellona  I44, 

The  ghoft  of  Continental  Money  "% 

Of 


1 6z  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Of  dame  Neceflity  defcended, 
With  whom  Credulity  engender'd. 
Tho'  born  with  confutation  frail, 
And  feeble  ftrength  that  foon  muft  fail ; 
Yet  ftrangely  vers'd  in  magic  lore, 
And  gifted  with  transforming  pow'r. 
His  fkill  the  wealth  Peruvian  joins 
With  diamonds  of  Brazilian  mines 146. 
As  erft  Jove  fell  by  fubtle  wiles 
On  Danae's  apron  thro'  the  tiles, 
In  fhow'rs  of  gold  ; 147  his  potent  hand 
Shall  flied  like  fhow'rs  thro'  all  the  land. 
Lefs  great  the  magic  art  was  reckon'd, 
Of  tallies  caft  by  Charles  the  fecond, 
Or  Law's  famed  Miffiffipi  fchemes 148, 
Or  all  the  wealth  of  Southfea  dreams "'. 
For  he  of  all  the  world  alone 
Owns  the  longfought  Philofpher's  ftone 15n, 
Reftores  the  fab'lous  times  to  view, 
And  proves  the  tale  of  Midas  true 1M. 
O'er  heaps  of  rags,  he  waves  his  wand, 

All  turn  to  gold  at  his  command, 

Provide 


FOURTH.]  T  H  E     V  I  S  I  O  N  .  1 63 

Provide  for  prefent  wants  and  future, 

Raife  armies,  victual,  clothe,  accoutre, 

Adjourn  our  conquefts  by  effbign, 

Check  Howe's  advance  and  take  Burgoyne, 

Then  makes  all  days  of  payment  vain, 

And  turns  all  back  to  rags  again  loi. 

In  vain  great  Howe  {hall  play  his  part, 

To  ape  and  counterfeit  his  art  : 

In  vain  fliall  Clinton,  more  belated, 

A  conj'rer  turn  to  imitate  it 153 ; 

With  like  ill  luck  and  pow'r  as  narrow, 

They'll  fare,  like  for'cers  of  old  Pharaoh, 

Who  tho'  the  art  they  underftood 

Of  turning  rivers  into  blood, 

And  caus'd  their  frogs  and  fnakes  t'  exift, 

That  with  fome  merit  croak'd  and  hifs'd, 

Yet  ne'er  by  ev'ry  quaint  device, 

Could  frame  the  true  Mofaic  lice  1M. 

He  for  the  Whigs  his  arts  fliall  try, 

Their  firft,  and  long  their  fole  ally; 

A  patriot  firm,  while  breath  he  draws, 

He'll  pcrifh  in  his  country's  caufe ; 

And 


1 64  M '  F  i  x  GAL  :  [CANTO 

And  when  his  magic  labours  ceafc, 
Lie  buried  in  eternal  peace. 

Now  view  the  fcencs  in  future  hours, 
That  wait  the  famed  European  Povv'rs. 
See  where  yon  chalky  cliffs  arife, 
The  hills  of  Britain  flrike  your  eyes150: 
Its  fmall  extenfion  long  fupplied, 
By  vaft  immenfity  of  pride  ; 
So  small  that  had  it  found  a  ftation 
In  this  new  world  at  firft  creation, 
Or  were  by  Juftice  doom'd  to  fuffer, 
And  for  its  crimes  tranfported  over156 
We'd  find  full  room  for't  in  lake  Eri,  or 
That  larger  waterpond,  Superior, 
Where  North  on  margin  taking  ftand, 
Would  not  be  able  to  fpy  land  '•'". 
No  more,  elate  with  pow'r,  at  cafe 
She  deals  her  infults  round  the  feas ; 
See  dwindling  from  her  height  amain, 
What  piles  of  ruin  fpread  the  plain  ; 
With  mould'ring  hulks  her  ports  are  fill'd, 
And  brambles  clothe  the  cultur'd  field ! 

See 


FOURTH.]  THE    VISION.  165 

See  on  her  cliffs  her  Genius  lies, 

His  handkerchief  at  both  his  eyes, 

With  many  a  dcepdrawn  figh  and  groan, 

To  mourn  her  ruin  and  his  own  ! 

While  joyous  Holland,  France  and  Spain, 

With  conq'ring  navies  rule  the  main, 

And  Ruffian  banners  wide  unfurl'd, 

Spread  commerce  round  the  eaftern  world  l38. 

And  fee  (fight  hateful  and  tormenting) 

Th'  Amer'can  empire  proud  and  vaunting, 

From  anarchy  mail  change  her  crafis, 

And  fix  her  pow'r  on  firmer  bafis  ; 

To  glory,  wealth  and  fame  afcend, 

Her  commerce  rife,  her  realms  extend  ; 

Where  now  the  panther  guards  his  den, 

Her  defart  forefts  fwarm  with  men, 

Her  cities,  tow'rs  and  columns  rife, 

And  dazzling  temples  meet  the  fkies ; 

Her  pines  defcending  to  the  main, 

In  triumph  fpread  the  watry  plain, 

Ride  inland  lakes  with  fav'ring  gales, 

And  croud  her  ports  with  whit'ning  fails ; 

Till 


1 66  M  '  F  i  N  G  A  L  :  [CANTO 

Till  to  the  fkirts  of  weftern  day, 

The  peopled  regions  own  her  fvvay  16V 

Thus  far  M'Fingal  told  his  tale, 
When  thundring  fhouts  his  ears  affail, 
And  ftrait  a  Tory  that  flood  centry, 
Aghaft  rufh'd  headlong  down  the  entry, 
And  with  wild  outcry,  like  magician, 
Difpers'd  the  refidue  of  vifion  16° : 
For  now  the  Whigs  intell'gence  found 
Of  Tories  muftring  under  ground, 
And  with  rude  bangs  and  loud  uproar, 
'Gan  thunder  furious  at  the  door  lbl. 
The  lights  put  out,  each  Tory  calls 
To  cover  him,  on  cellar  walls, 
Creeps  in  each  box,  or  bin,  or  tub, 
To  hide  his  head  from  wrath  of  mob, 
Or  lurks,  where  cabbages  in  row 
Adorn'd  the  fide  with  verdant  (how. 
M'Fingal  decm'd  it  vain  to  flay, 
And  rifk  his  bones  in  fecond  fray  ; 
But  chofc  a  grand  retreat  from  foes, 
in  lit'ral  fenfe,  beneath  their  nofe  1H. 

The 


FOURTH.]  T  H  E     V  I  S  I  O  N  .  1  6? 

The  window  then,  which  none  elfe  knew, 

He  foftly  open'd  and  crept  thro' 

And  crawling  flow  in  deadly  fear, 

By  movements  wife  made  good  his  rear. 

Then  fcorning  all  the  fame  of  martyr, 

For  Boflon  took  his  fwift  departure  """ ; 

Nor  dar'd  look  back  on  fatal  fpot, 

More  than  the  family  of  Lot104. 

Not  North  in  more  diftrefs'd  condition, 

Outvoted  firfl  by  oppofition: 

Nor  good  king  George  when  that  dire  phantom 

Of  Independence  comes  to  haunt  him, 

Which  hov'ring  round  by  night  and  day, 

Not  all  his  conj'rers  yet  can  lay  165. 

His  friends,  aflembled  for  his  fake, 

He  wifely  left  in  pawn  at  ftake, 

To  tarring,  feath'ring,  kicks  and  drubs 

Of  furious,  difappointed  mobs, 

And  with  their  forfeit  hides  to  pay 

For  him,  their  leader,  crept  away  lo6. 

So  when  wife  Noah  fummon'd  greeting 

All  animals  to  gen'ral  meeting  ; 

From 


i68  M'FINGAL:  [CANTO 

From  ev'ry  fide  the  members  fent 

All  kinds  of  hearts  to  reprefent ; 

Each  from  the  flood  took  care  t'  embaik, 

And  fave  his  carcafe  in  the  ark; 

But  as  it  fares  in  ftate  and  church, 

Left  his  coniHtuents  in  the  lurch. 


FINIS. 


NOTES. 


CANTO  I. 

1  The  origin  of  the  word  Yaukey  (now  spelled 
Yankee)  is  involved  in  obscurity.  Some  suppose 
it  to  be  derived  from  an  appellation  in  use  in  Eu 
rope,  long  before  the  settlement  of  the  English 
colonies  in  America.  Others,  with  more  plausi 
bility,  say  that  it  was  coined  from  the  guttural 
sound  of  the  New  England  Indians  in  their  at 
tempt  to  pronounce  the  word  Entjltxli.  The  sound 
would  be  nearly  represented  thus — Yaunghees,  the 
<7  being  pronounced  hard,  and  approaching  to  the 
sound  of  k,  joined  with  a  strong  aspirate.  The 
Dutch  settlers  on  the  Hudson  adopted  it  as  an 
epithet  of  derision,  and  applied  it  to  all  the  in 
habitants  of  New  England.  Dr.  Thacher  says  that 
a  farmer  of  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  named 
Jonathan  Hastings,  who  lived  at  about  the  year 
1713,  used  it  as  a  favorite  cant  word  to  express 
excellence,  as  a  yankee  good  house,  or  yankee  good 
cider.  The  students  of  Harvard  on  that  account 


170  NOTES. 

called  him  Yankee  Jonathan.  As  he  was  a  weak 
man,  when  the  students  wished  to  denote  a  person 
of  that  character,  they  would  call  him  Yankee 
Jonathan.  It  is  now  often  used  in  England  as  a 
general  name  for  the  people  of  the  United  States. 
Layard,  in  his  narrative  of  hi.-;  discoveries  at  Nin 
eveh,  says  that  some  of  the  natives  there  uttered 
a  sound  very  similar  to  that  of  Yankee,  in  giving 
a  general  name  to  the  Americans. 

2  This  is  in  allusion  to  the  tumultuous  flight  of 
the  British  toward  Boston,  after  the  skirmishes  at 
Lexington   and    Concord  on  the    19th    of  April, 
1775.     It  might  also  apply  to  many  similar  flights 
of  the  enemy  during   the   war.     This  canto   was 
published  in  the  autumn  of  1775,  and  the  allusion 
was  only  to  the  events  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston. 

3  When   General  Gage    heard    of  the  aifair    at 
Lexington,  he   sent  out  Lord   Percy,  a  son  of  the 
Duke   of  Northumberland,  with  a  reinforcement. 
Percy  was  a  lineal   descendant  of  the  noted   Earl 
Percy,  who  was  slain  in  the  battle  of  Chevy  Chase, 
so  celebrated  in  English  song  and  story.     As  he 
marched   out  through  lloxbury,  his  band  playing 
Yankee  Doodle,  in  derision,  (it   being   then   used 
in  the  British   army  as  a  sort  of  Rogue's  March, 
when  drumming  delinquents  out  of  the  camp,)  he 
observed  a  boy  performing  many  antics.     Percy 
asked  him  why  he  was  so  merry.     "  To   think," 
said  the  shrewd  lad,  "  how  you  will  dance  by-and- 
by,  to  Chevy  Chase.''1     Percy  was  often  influenced 


NOTES.  171 

by  presentiments,  and  the  remark  of  the  boy 
pressed  heavily  upon  his  spirits  all  the  day. 

4  M'Fingal  is  a  representative  of  numerous 
magistrates  at  the  commencement  of  the  Revolu 
tion,  who,  desirous  of  retaining  their  offices, 
were  over-zealous  for  the  Crown,  and  became  ex 
ceedingly  obnoxious  to  the  Whigs,  as  the  Frieuds 
of  Liberty  were  called. 

6  Fingal  was  the  Warrior  King  of  ancient  Scot 
land,  celebrated  for  his  martial  deeds  in  the  Poema 
of  Ossian,  a  reputed  Celtic  Homer,  who  lived  in  the 
second  or  third  century  of  the  Christian  Era, 
These  poems,  professedly  translated  from  the 
Gaalic,  or  Erse  language,  by  James  McPherson,  a 
native  of  Inverness-shire,  Scotland,  were  first  pub 
lished  in  1762,  under  the  title  of  Fingal  ;  An 
Ancient  Epic  Poem,  in  Six  Books.  Many  believe 
this  epic  to  have  been  the  offspring  of  the  brain  of 
McPherson  alone.  The  question  of  its  antiquity 
is  yet  open.  McPherson  was  in  America  in  1770, 
as  Surveyor  General,  under  Governor  Johnstone, 
of  Florida ;  and  it  is  asserted  by  McGregor,  that 
he  took  his  Gaelic  manuscripts  with  him,  and  lost 
many  of  them  there. 

6  The  Gaelic  Taischitaraugh,  a  well-known 
Highland  superstition.  The  belief  was  prevalent 
that  certain  persons  were  endowed  with  powers  of 
divination,  and  that  they  would  sometimes  not 
only  foretell  events,  but  by  some  mysterious 
method,  unknown  to  themselves  had  actual 


172  NOTES. 

visions  of  things  distant,  or  in  future.  The  belief 
was,  according  to  Martin,  universal  in  the  Western 
Islands;  and  Dr.  Johnson,  in  his  narrative  of  his 
visit  there,  gives  a  graphic  account  of  the  su 
perstition,  and  even  defends  it.  Sir  Walter  Scott 
often  used  it  with  effect,  in  prose  and  verse.  The 
character  of  McAllister,  in  the  Legend  of  Mon- 
trose,  exhibits  it;  and  in  his  fiue  ballad  of  Lord 
Itoland,  and  in  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  he  has 
given  glimpses  of  it.  So  has  Campbell,  in 
Lochiel's  Warning;  and  Collins,  in  his  ode  on  the 
Superstitions  of  the  Highlands  find}*  describes 
it.  The  belief  has  almost  passed  away,  and 
now  has  existence  only  in  tradition  and  poetry. 

T  The  English  people  had  a  traditional  hatred  of 
the  Stuarts,  which,  after  the  rebellion  in  favor  of 
the  young  Pretender,  Charles  Edward,  in  1745, 
was  extended,  in  a  great  degree,  to  the  whole 
Scotch  people.  On  the  accession  of  George  the 
Third,  the  minds  of  the  English  people,  and  espe 
cially  of  the  ultra  Protestants,  were  excited  by 
unpleasant  forebodings,  because  John,  Earl  of 
Bute,  a  needy  Scotch  adventurer,  who  had  been 
the  young  King's  tutor,  was  admitted  to  his 
counsels  as  Chief  Minister,  to  the  exclusion  of  the 
eminent  William  Pitt.  He  was  a  great  favorite 
of  the  queen-dowager,  and  rumor  spoke  disparag 
ingly  of  her  virtue.  These  facts  made  the  people 
fear  the  influence  of  the  Jacobites,  as  the  adhe 
rents  of  the  Stuarts  were  called,  in  the  affairs  of 


NOTES.  173 

government ;  and  somebody  had  the  boldness, 
at  the  beginning  of  George's  reign,  to  place  a  large 
placard  on  the  Royal  Exchange,  with  the  words. 
"  No  Petticoat  Government — No  Scotch  Minis 
ter."  The  Scotch  were  noted  for  their  loyalty,  in 
this  country,  and  Avere  generally  found  among  the 
Tories,  especially  in  the  Carolinas.  This  fact, 
and  the  odium  that  rested  upon  the  Jacobites  in 
the  mother  country,  made  the  Americans,  during 
the  Revolution,  look  with  suspicion  upon  all  Scotch 
men.  Jefferson  manifested  this*feeling,  when  he 
drew  up  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  In 
the  original  draft,  he  alluded  to  "  Scotch  arid 
foreign  mercenaries."  This  was  omitted,  on  mo 
tion  of  Dr.  Witherspoon,  who  was  a  Scotchman 
by  birth.  In  most  minds,  the  word  Jacobite  was 
synonymous  with  Popery.  Trumbull  showed  his 
dislike  of  the  Scotch  by  his  choice  of  a  hero  in 
this  poem.  Frenau,  another  eminent  poet  of  the 
Revolution,  also  evinced  the  same  hatred.  In 
one  of  his  poems,  in  which  he  gives  Burgoyne 
many  hard  rubs,  he  consigns  the  Tories,  with 
Burgoyne  at  their  head,  to  an  ice-bound,  fog-cov 
ered  island,  off  the  northern  coast  of  Scotland, 
thus  : 

"There,  Loyal?,  there,  with  loyal  hearts,  retire, 
There  pitch  your  tents,  and  kindle  there  your  fire  ; 
There  desert  Nature  will  her  stings  display, 
And  fiercest  hunger  on  your  vitals  prey; 
And  with  yourselves,  let  John  Biirgoyne  retire, 
To  reign  your  mou.ire!;,  whom  vour  he/.rtri  desire." 


174  NOTES. 

*  When  bees  are  swarming,  loud  beating  upon 
sonorous  metal,  such  as  tin  pans,  kettles,  et  cetera, 
causes  them  to  alight,  or  "  settle,"  when  they  are 
placed  in  a  newly-prepared  hive. 

9  Alluding  to   the  influences  of  the  established 
churches  of  England  and  Scotland,  in  favor  of  the 
crown. 

10  Bute  is  mentioned  in  a  preceding  note.     Lord 
Mansfield,  here  alluded  to,  was  a  powerful  sup 
porter  of  the  Ministry,  and  was  employed  to  draw 
up  many  of  the  bills  introduced  after  the  passage 
of  the  famous  stamp  act,  in   1765,  for  enslaving 
the  colonies.     On  that  account,  and  because  of  his 
Popish  tendencies,  he  was  hated  by  the  American?. 
He  was  one  of  the  most  able  of  the  Chief  Justices  of 
England,  and  was  raised  to  the  peerage   in  177G. 
Because  he  seemed  to  favor   the  Roman  Catho 
lics,  his  mansion  was  burned  during  the  anti-Cath 
olic  riots   in    London  in    1780,   and  with   it  his 
valuable  collection  of  books  and  rare  manuscripts. 

11  Soon  after  the  accession  of  George  the  Third, 
Bute  sent  secret  agents  to  America,  to  spy  out  the 
condition  of  the  colonists.    The  Germans,  who  were 
then  rapidly  settling  large  districts  in  Pennsyl 
vania,  as  well  as  in  the  Curolinas,  were  found  to  be 
a  liberty-loving  people,  and  generally  inimical  to 
royal   prerogatives.     The  French  Roman  Catho 
lics,   then  quite  rapidly  increasing  in    Maryland, 
and   the    French    Protestants   in  South  Carolina, 
were  obnoxious  to   the  same   objections,  and  the 


NOTES.  175 

King  was  advised  to  cast  obstacles  in  the  way  of 
emigration  to  the  English  colonies  in  America. 
Restrictive  measures  were  soon  employed,  and  a 
scheme  was  proposed  to  "  reform  the  American 
Charters."  In  this  lay  the  egg  of  active  tyranny. 
This  measure  is  alluded  to  in  one  of  the  charges 
made  against  the  King  in  the  Declaration  of  Inde 
pendence. 

'•  Sybillae  were  prophetic  women,  ten  in  number, 
said  to  have  lived  in  the  early  ages  of  Greece  and 
Rome.  The  most  noted  of  these  was  the  Sybil 
of  C  unite,  celebrated  by  Virgil  in  the  sixth  book 
of  his  JEneid.  She  is  said  to  have  written  her  pro 
phecies  in  book?,  in  which  she  foretold  the  fate  of 
the  Roman  Empire.  This  Sybil  was  consulted  by 
JEueas,  and,  according  to  the  poets,  she  accom 
panied  him  to  the  lower  world.  She  is  probably 
the  one  who  offered  her  books  to  Tarquin  in  his 
palace.  She  had  nine  volumes,  which  she  offered 
to  sell  to  Tarquin  at  a  very  high  price.  He 
refu.sed.  She  disappeared,  burned  three  of  them, 
and  then  offered  him  the  remaining  six  at  the 
same  price.  He  again  refused,  when  she  burned 
three  more,  and  came  on  the  same  errand.  The 
astonished  Emperor  bought  the  remaining  three, 
and  they  were  long  preserved  with  the  greatest 
care.  The  whole  story  is  probably  a  poetic  fable, 
covering  some  important  fact  in  Roman  history. 

13  Dodona  was  the  most  ancient  oracle  in  Greece 
and  is  said  to  have  been  consulted  by  the  Pelasgi. 


176  NOTES. 

The  responses  of  the  oracle  were  delivered  by  a 
priestess,  from  the  sacred  oak  or  beach.  There 
were  two  oracles  of  the  same  name,  one  at  Epirus, 
and  one  in  Thessaly. 

14  The  tripod  was  an  ancient  three-legged  stool, 
on  which  priests  and  priestesses  sat  when  they 
uttered  their  oracles. 

13  In  the  autumn  of  1775,  the  British  govern 
ment  bargained  with  some  of  the  petty  German 
princes  for  about  seventeen  thousand  troops,  to 
assist  in  crushing  the  rebellion  in  America.  As 
the  Larger  portion  of  these  troops  were  hired  from 
the  Prince  of  Hesse  Cassel,  they  bore  the  general 
name  of  Hessians,  and  as  such  are  known  in  the 
history  of  our  "War  for  Independence.  They 
came  in  the  summer  and  autumn  of  177G,  and 
were  first  let  loose  upon  the  patriots  on  Long 
Island,  and  in  lower  Westchcster  County,  New 
York.  They  were  generally  ignorant,  blood 
thirsty  and  cruel,  and  were  despised  by  the  English 
soldiers.  They  were  employed  iu  the  least  hon 
orable  enterprises  during  the  war,  especially  in 
forays  upon  hamlets,  and  the  burning  of  towns. 
They  cost  the  British  government  a  million  of 
dollars,  and  a  vast  amount  of  reputation  among 
the  nations.  The  scheme  for  their  employment 
was  distasteful  even,  to  the  King,  and  it  was  de 
nounced  in  Parliament,  as  "  disgraceful  to  the 
British  name." 

"  This  prophecy  was  but    half   accomplished 


NOTES.  177 

The  mercenaries  did  come  over,  but  the  hanging, 
and  division  of  estates  never  occurred. 

11  A  Grecian  warrior  and  herald,  in  the  army 
that  besieged  Troy.  His  voice,  according  to 
Homer,  was  louder  than  the  combined  voices  of 
fifty  men. 

18  In  the  wars  between  the  ancient  Greeks  and 
Persians,    and     other    eastern    nations,    elephants 
were  employed.     Sometimes  they  became  fright 
ened,  turned  and  fled.     In  their  flight  they  would 
trample  upon  those  "  they  came  to  aid." 

19  Penelope,  wife  of  Ulysses,  monarch  of  Ithaca, 
who  was  remarkable  for  her  fidelity  to    her   hus 
band.     Ulysses  was  absent  twenty  years,  after  his 
departure  for   the   siege   of    Troy.      Many  lovers 
sought  the  hand   of  Penelope,  and   her  relatives 
urged  her  to  abandon  all  thoughts  of  her  husband's 
return.     She  finally  agreed  to  make  choice  of  one 
of  the  suitors  as  soon  as  she  should  complete   a 
web  she  was  then  weaving,  as   a  funeral  ornament 
for   the  aged  Laertes.       Every   night  she   would 
undo  all  that  she  had  wrought  in  the  day  time,  and 
thus   she  protracted  her  promise  until   the  final 
return  of  her  husband. 

-"  The  British  Parliament,  in  its  assertion  of  its 
power  "  to  bind  the  colonies  in  all  cases  what^o- 
ever,"  levied  a  small  duty  upon  all  tea  imported 
into  the  colonies.  The  sum  was  small,  but  the 
principles  involved  were  of  vast  importance. 
The  colonists  had  already  stoutly  opposed  govern- 


178  NOTES. 

ment  measures  having  a  like  tendency  to  tax  the 
people  without  their  consent,  and  had  boldly 
enunciated  the  grand  postulate,  that  TAXATION 

WITHOUT      REPRESENTATION,      IS      OPPRESSION.       Tli6 

even  nominal  duty  on  tea,  levied  without  the  con 
sent  of  the  colonists,  was  in  violation  of  the  free 
dom  negatively  asserted  in  that  postulate,  and  the 
people  resolved  not  to  submit  to  the  tax.  They 
held  meetings,  declared  that  tea  should  not  be 
landed  for  sale  on  our  shores,  while  the  duty  re 
mained,  warned  consignees  not  to  offend  the  popu 
lar  will,  and  appointed  committees  of  vigilance 
and  correspondence  to  see  that  that  will  had  free 
exercise.  Commotions  ensued,  cargoes  of  tea 
were  destroyed,  and  the  Revolutionary  crisis  was 
thus  hastened.  For  ten  long  years,  the  people 
had  remonstrated,  petitioned,  addressed  the  Kiiig, 
Parliament  and  people  of  Great  Britain,  but  to  no 
purpose,  and  so,  despairing  of  redress,  and  deter 
mined  to  be  free,  they  raised  the  arm  of  resistance, 
and  the  war  bogan. 

21  The  terms  Whig  and  Tory  were  adopted  at 
an  early  period  of  the  struggle.  The  appellation 
of  Tory  was  first  given  to  the  wild  Irish,  outside 
of  the  English  real  jurisdiction  in  Ireland,  who 
made  predatory  war  against  the  British  settle 
ments  in  Dublin  and  vicinity.  In  the  civil  wars 
in  the  reign  of  Charles  the  First,  these  clana 
adhered  to  the  royal  party.  The  name  was  also 
applied  to  a  volunteer  troop  of  cavalry  in  Charles's 


NOTES.  179 

army,  composed  of  young  noblemen,  and  the  sons 
of  gentlemen,  who  were  famous  for  revelry,  and 
the  singing  of  songs,  the  chorus  of  which  con 
sisted  in  a  roll  of  unmeaning  words.  They  had  a 
favorite  ballad,  suited  to  the  times,  the  chorus  of 
•which  was, 

"  Sing  tory,  rcry,  rantum,  sanctum,  tory  rory  row." 

The  origin  of  the  word  Whig  is  not  so  clear. 
Some  say  that  it  originally  meant  a  sour  kind  of 
crab-apple,  and  that  it  was  applied  to  the  Puri 
tans  in  the  army  of  Cromwell,  who  clipped  their 
hair  short,  scowled  upon  all  pleasantries,  &c. 
They  were  called  Whigs,  prick-ears,  and  round 
heads.  Bishop  Burnet  gives  a  different  account 
of  its  origin.  The  waggoners  in  the  West  of 
Scotland,  when  driving  their  horses,  used  the  word 
whiggam,  and  the  drivers  were  called  tchigga- 
mores,  abbreviated  to  whiggs.  On  one  occasion, 
about  six  thousand  of  these  people  marched 
to  Edinburgh,  headed  by  the  Marquis  of  Argylo, 
to  oppose  the  ministerial  troops,  and,  after  that, 
all  who  opposed  the  court,  were  called  Whigs,  in 
contempt.  Ever  since  then,  the  court  party  in 
England  have  been  called  Tories,  and  their  oppo 
nents  Whigs.  These  were  significant  terms  for 
the  Americans  at  the  commencement  of  the  revo 
lutionary  contest,  and  became  common  in  1774. 

22  Allusion  is  here  probably  made  to  a  King  of 
the  Averui  district  whom  Caesar  made  a  prisoner 
after  his  last  battle  with  and  final  conquest  of  the 


180  NOTES. 

Gauls,  and  carried  in  triumph  to  Rome.  When  he 
laid  the  royal  ensigns  and  arms  at  the  foot  of  Cjesar, 
he  exclaimed.  "  Receive  them;  thou,  0,  bravest  of 
men,  hast  conquered  a  brave  man/'  The  Senate  de 
creed  a  triumph  to  Csesar,  and  the  Gallic  King  and 
other  notable  prisoners  were  astonished  and  awed 
by  the  great  display  of  wealth,  and  power,  and 
pageantry,  in  the  imperial  city. 

23  Formerly  town  meetings  were  usually  held  in 
the    churches  or    meeting-houses   in   the   country 
towns  of  New  England. 

24  Mercury  was  the  messenger  of  the  gods,  and 
is  represented  with  wings  upon  his  cap  and  feet, 
and  bearing  a  staff  (caduccus)  in  his  hand,  about 
which  serpents  are  entwined.     Mercury  was  also 
considered  the  patron  of  eloquence,  and  of  thieves, 
and  other  dishonest  persons. 

55  In  many  parts  of  New  England,  the  term 
Model  ator  is  yet  given  to  the  chairman  of  the 
meeting,  whether  political  or  religious.  In  the 
present  case,  he  is  seated  in  one  of  those  high, 
old-fashioned  pulpits,  which  seemed  to  have  been 
constructed  chiefly  for  the  purpose  of  concealing 
the  person  of  the  speaker. 

£s  During  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1774,  the 
people  of  the  colonies,  especially  those  of  New 
England,  commenced  armii  g  themselves.  They 
practised  daily  in  military  exercises;  the  manufac 
ture  of  gunpowder  was  encouraged ;  and  throughout 
Massachusetts  in  purticular,  the  people  were  en- 


NOTES.  181 

rolled  as  a  rnilitia  force,  in  companies,  prepared  to 
take  up  arms,  and  rush  to  the  field  at  a  minute's 
•warning.  From  this  circumstance,  they  were 
called  minute-men.  Such  were  the  men  who 
opposed  the  British  at  Lexington  and  Concord, 
and  annoyed  them  by  a  galling  fire  from  behind 
hedges  and  stone  walls,  all  the  way  of  their  re 
treat  to  Boston. 

57  JEolus  was  the  god  or  ruler  of  the  winds  ;  and 
was  represented  as  holding  them  in  restraint,  in  a 
great  cave,  from  which  they  issued  at  his  bidding. 

!j  Numbers,  chapter  xii. 

59  Honorius,  as  opposed  to  M'Fingal,  is  a  repre 
sentative  of  a  stanch  Whig  patriot,  and  a  bold 
leader  of  his  class. 

110  British  statesmen,  opposed  to  the  colonists,  in 
their  struggle  for  freedom,  were  fond  of  boasting 
of  the  liberality  of  Great  Britain,  toward  her 
children  in  the  New  World.  They  were  either 
ignorant  of,  or  artfully  concealed  the  fact,  that 
England  had  been  fully  repaid  for  all  her  boasted 
aids,  by  services,  the  most  arduous  and  important. 
All  of  the  settlements,  except  Georgia,  had  been 
made  on  private  account ;  and  all  through  the 
colonial  period,  the  connection  with  Great  Britain 
was  a  detriment  to  the  colonies,  rather  than  a 
benefit.  For  long  and  gloomy  year?,  thoy  had 
struggled  up,  'from  feebleness  to  strength,  unaided 
and  alone.  They  had  built  fortifications,  raised 
armies,  and  fought  battles,  for  Eugland's  glory 


182  NOTES. 

and  their  own  preservation,  without  England's 
aid,  and  often  without  her  sympathy.  In  1758 
when  the  French  and  Indian  War  was  progressing 
public  and  private  advances  to  carry  on  the  war, 
made  in  Massachusetts  alone,  amounted  to  more 
than  a  million  of  dollars.  The  taxes  on  real 
estate,  in  order  to  raise  money,  were  enormous ; 
in  many  instances,  equal  to  two-thirds  of  the  in 
come  of  the  tax-payers.  Yet  it  was  levied  by 
their  own  representatives,  and  they  did  not  com 
plain.  Lord  Baltimore  spent  £200,000  sterling, 
in  colonizing  Maryland ;  and  William  Pcnn  became 
deeply  involved  in  debt,  in  his  efforts  to  settle  and 
improve  Pennsylvania.  On  one  occasion,  in  1765, 
Charles  Townshend,  in  the  House  of  Commons, 
spoke  of  the  Americans  as  children  planted  by  the 
care  of  Great  Britain,  nourished  up  by  its  indul 
gence,  and  protected  by  its  arms.  Colonel  Barre 
replied,  ''  They  planted  by  your  care!  No,  your 
oppressions  planted  them  in  America."  *  *  * 
'•  They  nourished  up  by  your  indulgence!  They 
grew  by  your  neglect  of  them."  * 
"  They  protected  by  your  arms  !  They  have 
nobly  taken  up  arms  in  your  defence."  And  then 
he  recounted  the  valorous  deeds  of  the  Americans, 
and  warned  the  English  legislature  that  "  that 
same  spirit  of  freedom  which  actuated  the  people 
at  first,"  in  fleeing  from  persecution,  would  "  ac 
company  them  still,"  and  predicted  that  they 
would  take  up  aruis  in  defence  of  their  liberties. 


NOTES.  183 

31  Growth  and  decay  seem  to  be  the  law  of  pro  • 
gress  in  nations  as  well  as  individuals.  This 
truth,  all  past  history  teaches  us.  States  have 
their  youth,  maturity,  and  season  of  decrepitude 
before  decay. 

3!  This  is  to  become  a  public  charge.  The 
national  debt  of  England,  at  that  time,  was  more 
than  seven  hundred  and  fifty  millions  of  dollars. 
The  debt  was  commenced  by  William  the  Third, 
and  the  English  people  were  alarmed  at  its  amount, 
in  1697,  then  only  twenty-five  millions  of  dollars. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  in 
1783,  it  had  swelled  to  about  thirteen  hundred 
millions.  Now  (1857)  it  is  more  than  four  thou 
sand  millions  of  dollars  ! 

"z  This  alludes  to  the  time  of  the  elder  Pitt's 
administration,  when  Canada  was  wrested  from 
the  French,  and  a  vast  empire  in  India  lay  pros 
trate  at  the  feet  of  Great  Britain.  Fifteen  years 
had  now  elapsed,  and  the  Gallic  or  French  power 
had  loomed  up  amazingly,  and  the  traditionary 
feud  between  the  two  people,  though  quieted  by 
treaties,  was  as  fierce  as  ever.  When  our  Revolu 
tion  broke  out,  the  French  perceived  an  opportu 
nity  to  damage  England,  by  helping  her  rebellious 
colonies.  Early  in  the  struggle,  the  Americans 
received  material  aid  from  France,  and  finally,  in 
1778,  formed  a  treaty  of  alliance  with  that  nation. 
For  three  years,  Gallic  crows  had  been  whetting 
"  their  beaks  to  pick  her." 


184  NOTES. 

34  An  ancient  "  Hospital  of  St.  Mary  of  Bctlile 
hem,"  situated  in   London,   and   incorporated  by 
Henry  the  Eighth,  in  1540.      The  hospital  build 
ing  in  Moorfields,  which  was  erected  in  1675,  was 
pulled  down  in  1814.     The  present  buildings  of 
the  institution  are  in  St.  George's  Fields.     It  has 
long  been  used  as  a  hospital  for  lunatics,  which 
explains  the  allusion   in  the  poem.     In  later  edi 
tions  of  this  poem,  the  word  Bethlehem  is  changed 
to  Bedlam.     The   latter   is   a  corruption   of  the 
former. 

35  "  Who  sees  thee?  (and  what  is  one?)  who  shouklst 

be  seen, 

A  goddess  among  gods,  adored  and  served, 
By  angels  numberless  thy  daily  train.'' 

Satan  to  Eve. 

******* 

— "  but  henceforth  my  early  care, 
Not  without  song,  each  morning  and  due  praise, 
Shall  tend  thee,  and  the  fertile  burden  ease 
Of  thy  full  branches,  offered  free  to  all ; 
Till,  dieted  by  thee,  I  grow  mature 
In  knowledge  as  the  gods,  who  all  things  know." 
Eve  to  the  Tree  of  Life,  Milton  s  Paradise  Lost,  Boole  IX. 

36  Special    reference   is   here  made   to    an   act, 
passed   by  the  British  Parliament  in  176G,  known 
as  the  Dedaratonj  Act,  in  which  the  omnipotence 
of  the   British  Parliament  was  affirmed,  and  its 
''right"    declared    to    bind     the    colonies    in    all 
cases  whatsoever."     This  measure,  strange  as   it 
may    appear,    was    proposed    by    Pitt,    who    hud 


No  T  E  S  .  185 

labored  zealously  for  the  repeal  of  the  odious 
stamp  act.  It  was  a  necessary  expedient,  he 
thought,  in  order  to  insure  that  repeal,  but  it  un 
fortunately  became  the  egg  from  which  issued  the 
most  obnoxious  measures. 

"  When,  in  1534,  Henry  the  Eighth  of  England 
quarrelled  with  the  Popo,  he  cast  off  his  allegiance 
to  the  Pontiff,  and  settled  the  supremacy  over 
the  Church  and  State,  in  his  dominions,  in  the 
person  of  the  Sovereign.  The  monarchs  of 
England  have  ever  since  asserted  and  maintained 
that  supremacy. 

33  It  is  asserted  (and  positively  denied)  that,  in 
the  ninth  century,  a  female  named  Joan  conceived 
a  violent  passion  for  a  young  monk  named  Felda, 
and  in  order  to  be  admitted  into  his  monastery, 
assumed  the  garb  of  a  man.  On  the  death  of 
her  lover,  she  entered  upon  the  duties  of  Professor, 
and,  being  very  learned,  was  elected  Pope  on  the 
deatli  of  Adrian,  in  872.  This"  story  lias  occa 
sioned  violent  disputes  among  ecclesiastical  his 
torians.  We  have  no  record  of  any  trial  to  prove 
her  sex,  as  in  the  case  of  the  Chevalier  D'Eon, 
before  Lord  Mansfield. 

39  The  English  Parliament  House  is  called  St. 
Stephen's  Chapel.  A  chapel  so  called  in  honor 
of  Stephen,  the  proto-martyr,  was  erected  by 
King  Stephen,  at  about  the  year  1135.  It  was 
rebuilt  in  1347  ,  and  about  the  year  1550,  it  was 
applied  to  the  use  of  Parliament. 


1 86  NOTES. 

40  Lord  North,  Earl  of  Guilford,  became  First 
Lord    of    the    Treasury,    or   Prime    Minister    of 
England,  in  1770,  and  continued  in  that  important 
office  until  1782.     He  was  a  well-meaning  man, 
but  lacked  the  better  qualities  of  a  great  stutes- 
man  ;  and  by  his  official  blunders,  obstinacy,  and 
unwise  measures,  he  was  chiefly   instrumental  in 
alienating  the  loyalty  of   the    American  people, 
and  in  causing  and  protracting  their  armed  strug 
gle   for    independence.      He   was    blind   for  some 
years  before  his  death,  which   occurred   in   July, 
1792,  when  he  was  sixty  years  of  age.     See  note 
157,  Canto  IV. 

41  This  is  in  allusion  to  the  measure  known  as 
the    Quebec    Act,  in    the  spring  of    1774,  which 
established  the  Roman  Catholic  religion  in  Canada. 
When  the  British  ministry  perceived  the  general 
disaffection    in    the    American   colonies,   and  the 
probability  that  the  important  province  of  Canada 
would  join  in  the  revolt,  this  conciliatory  measure 
toward  the  lloman  Catholic  population  there,  was 
intended  to  prevent  such  a  result.     The  cry  of 
"  No  Popery  "  was  then  very  popular  in  England, 
and  the  Quebec  Act  deeply  offended  public  senti 
ment    there,    and    in    America.      The    title    here 
given  to  the  central    Papal  authority   is  derived 
from  the  17th  chapter  of  Revclaiions. 

45  At  the  commencement  of  hostilities,  British 
ships  and  armies  were  employed  in  plundering  our 
seas,  ravaging  our  coast,  burning  our  towns,  and 


NOTES.  187 

destroying  the  lives  of  our  people,  and  when,  in 
the  summer  of  1779,  the  royal  Governor  of  New 
York,  William  Tryon,  had  burned  East  Haven. 
Fail-field,  and  Norwalk,  in  Connecticut,  on  Long 
Island  Sound,  and  openly  insulted  the  defenceless 
inhabitants,  he  boasted  of  his  extreme  leniency  in 
leaving  a  single  house  standing  on  the  New 
England  coast.  And  British  ministers  often 
disgusted  their  own  people  by  repeating  that  boast. 

43  One  of  the  great  foundations  of  the  British 
Constitution  was  obtained  from  Charles  the  First 
by  Parliament,  in  1628,  by  his  signature  to  a  bill 
which  recognized   all   the  legal  privileges  of  the 
subject.       Ou    the    accession     of     William    and 
Mary,  in   1689,  a  Bill   of  Rights,  declaratory  of 
the  franchises  of  British  subjects,  was  passed,  and 
received   the    royal    signature.       It    is    the    only 
written  law  respecting  the  liberties  of  the  British 
people,  except  MAGXA  CIIARTA — the  Great  Charter. 

44  For  ten  long  years,  the  colonists  petitioned 
the  King  and  Parliament  for  justice,  and  a  redress 
of    grievances.     Instead    of    listening   and    com 
plying,  the  government  denied  their  prayer,  some 
times  with  indifference,  at  others  with  insults,  and 
again  by  an  accumulation  of  oppressive  measures, 
which  restricted  personal  liberty  and  commercial 
operations. 

45  First   Kings,  chapter  xviii.     Baal,  or  Belus, 
was  the  chief  idol  among  the  idolatrous  nations 
of  Canaan  and  vicinity. 


188  NOTES. 

46  The  crocodile  was  worshipped  in  only  some 
portions  of  Ancient  Egypt;  in  others  it  was 
warred  upon  ;  and  the  ichneumon,  which  destroyed 
its  eggs,  was  regarded  with  great  favor.  Many 
mummied  crocodiles  have  been  found  at  Thebes, 
and  at  the  modern  Mauhdah,  where  extensive 
grottos  contain  them.  Persons  were  sometimes 
eaten  by  the  beast,  after  having  adored  it. 

41  In  almost  every  speech  from  the  throne,  con 
cerning  the  American  people,  the  King  used 
honeyed  words,  and  the  colonists  were  often 
deceived  by  false  hopes,  springing  from  the  prom 
ises  of  "  His  Most  Gracious  Majesty,"  which 
ministers  compelled  him  to  break.  The  hopes 
which  budded  in  the  warmth  of  these  promises, 
were  uniformly  blasted  by  the  frosts  of  Parlia 
mentary*  action. 

48  In  consequence  of  the  destruction  of  tea  in 
Boston  Harbor,  [see  note  31,  p.  257,]  and  other 
overt  acts  of  rebellion,  so  called,  Parliament,  by 
enactment  in  the  spring  of  1774,  ordered  the  port 
of  Boston  to  be  closed  against  all  shipping,  and 
suspended  all  commercial  operations  there.  This 
is  known  as  the  Boston  Port  Bill,  which  was  pro 
ductive  of  more  real  misery,  and  greater  irrita 
tion,  than  any  other  of  the  obnoxious  measures  of 
the  ministry.  Soon  after  the  passage  of  that  bill, 
others,  equally  tyrannical,  were  adopted.  Among 
them  was  one,  whose  operations  were  equivalent 
to  a  total  subversion  of  the  Charter  of  Massa- 


NOTES.  189 

chusetts.  Other  colonies  were  thi-eatened  with  a 
similar  lash,  if  they  dared  to  raise  voice  or  hand 
against  the  omnipotence  of  Parliament.  By  that 
enactment,  every  thing  pertaining  to  courts  of 
law  and  equity  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  the 
creatures  of  the  government ;  and  the  officers  in 
the  province  were  made  independent  of  the  people 
by  receiving  their  salaries  from  the  crown, 

4S  Thomas  Gage  was  a  native  of  England,  and 
was  an  active  officer  during  the  French  and  Indian 
War.  He  was  appointed  Military  Governor  of 
Montreal  in  1760,  and  on  the  departure  of 
Amherst  from  America  in  1763,  he  succeeded  that 
officer  as  Commander-in-chief  of  the  British 
forces  in  America.  He  was  appointed  Governor 
of  Massachusetts,  in  the  place  of  Hutchinson,  in 
1771,  and  went  to  Boston  on  the  first  of  June, 
fully  authorized  and  prepared  to  enforce  the  pro 
visions  of  the  Port  Bill,  by  arms  if  necessary. 
He  was  naturally  amiable  in  disposition,  but  in 
executing  the  will  of  his  royal  master,  he  became, 
necessarily,  a  tyrant.  Gage  was  the  last  royal 
Governor  of  Massachusetts.  Howe  succeeded 
him  as  military  commander  in  the  summer  of 
1775,  and  he  went  to  England  in  the  autumn  of 
the  same  year,  where  he  died  in  April,  1787. 

50  This  is  a  law  term,  signifying  "  the  power  of 
the  country,"  or  the  citizens  who  are  summoned 
to  assist  an  officer  in  suppressing  a  riot,  or  in  execu 
ting  any  legal  precept  which  is  forcibly  opposed. 


190  NOTES. 

61  Genesis,  chapter  iii. 

— "  In  at  his  mouth 
The  devil  entered,  and  his  brutal  sense 
In  heart  or  head,  possessing,  soon  inspired 
With  act  intelligential." 

Paradise  Lost,  Book  IX. 

6-  A  writ  of  ejectment. 

53  At  the  commencement  of  the  contest,  loyalist? 
and  timid  republicans,  desirous  of  conciliating 
government  officers,  formally  addressed  them, 
and  assured  them  of  friendship  and  support.  In 
Boston,  in  1774,  when  General  Gage  was  enforcing 
the  Port  Bill  with  rigor,  one  hundred  and  twenty 
merchants  and  others,  signed  an  address  to  Gagy, 
expressive  of  their  gratitude  and  loyalty,  and 
even  went  so  far  as  to  offer  to  pay  the  East  India 
Company  for  the  tea  destroyed  in  December  pre 
vious.  There  were  some  others  who  protested 
against  the  course  of  the  Committee  of  Corre 
spondence,  and  the  action  of  a  large  portion  of  the 
ministers  of  the  Gospel  in  New  England,  who, 
they  averred,  were  unduly  exciting  the  people, 
and  urging  them  to  ruin.  These  •'  Addressers 
and  Protestors  "  were  summarily  dealt  with  by 
the  Whigs,  and  many  of  them  were  compelled  to 
sign  a  recantation  which  the  General  Committee 
of  Correspondence  for  Massachusetts  declared 
satisfactory.  Those  who  would  not  sign  it  left 
the  province,  and  became  the  first  Refugee  Royal- 


NOTES.  191 

ists.     See  Lossing's  Pictorial  Field  Book  of  the 
Revolution,  i.,  512. 

04  At  the  commencement  of  the  war,  great 
prejudice  prevailed  throughout  most  of  the  colo 
nies,  and  especially  in  New  England,  against  the 
clergy,  and  even  many  of  the  laity  of  the  Church 
of  England,  as  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
was  called.  There  were  many  reasons  for  this 
prejudice.  For  a  long  time  Archbishop  Seeker 
aud  others  had  labored  zealously  in  efforts  to 
establish  Episcopacy  in  America,  which  the  colo 
nists  regarded  as  ano  her  form  of  oppression, 
because  it  was  so  intimately  connected  with  the 
throne ;  so  they  strenuously  resisted  such  efforts. 
Sometimes  newspaper  and  pamphlet  controversies 
on  the  subject  ran  high,  and  were  very  bitter. 
Cooper,  of  King's  College,  Auchinuty,  Chandler, 
and  other  Episcopal  clergymen,  kept  their  pens 
quite  actively  engaged,  while  William  Livingston, 
of  New  Jersey,  was  equally  active  with  his  pen,  in 
opposition.  The  Church  clergy  constantly  harped 
upor,  and  were  in  favor  of  the  absurd  doctrines  of 
passive  obedience,  non-resistance,  and  the  divine 
right  of  Kings,  and  were  active  in  endeavors  to 
produce  divisions  among  the  patriots.  The  fact  that 
for  several  years  previous  to  the  Revolution,  the 
whole  bench  of  Bishops,  in  the  British  Parliament, 
were  opposed  to  the  colonists,  and  always  advised 
coercive  measures,  made  their  class  obnoxious  to 
the  patriots.  Again,  the  Episcopal  clergy  gener- 


192  NOTES. 

ally  took  sides  with  the  Crown,  and  joined  in  the 
hue  and  cry  against  the  leading  Whigs.  One  of 
their  writers,  in  Hugh  Graine's  New  York  Mer 
cury,  in  17t)8,  supposed  to  have  been  Dr.  Auch- 
muty,  of  Trinity  Church,  or  Professor  Vardell,  of 
King's  College,  thus  alluded  to  Livingston,  in  a 
long  poem.  It  must  be  remembered  that  Liv 
ingston  wrote  anonymously : 

"  Some  think  him  a  Tindall,  some  think  him  a  Chubb, 
Some  think  him  a. Ranter,  that  sports  from  his  tub; 
Some  think  him  a  Newton,  some  think  him  a  Locke, 
Some  think  him  a  Stone,  some  think  him  a  Stock. 
But  a  Slock  he  at  least  may  thank  Nature  for  giving, 
And  if  he's  a  STONE,  I  pronounce  it  a  LIVING." 

:6  The  stories  of  the  wonderful  exploits  of  St. 
Anthony  and  his  pigs,  and  of  St.  Austin  preach 
ing  to  the  fishes,  are  told  in  the  Popish  legends. 

•'*  William  Walter,  D.  D.,  was  rector  of  Trinity 
Church,  Summer  street,  Boston.  He  was  placed 
over  that  congregation  in  1708,  and  left  his  people 
early  in  1776,  after  this  canto  of  M'Fingal  was 
written.  He  was  an  addressor  of  Gage,  and  was 
among  the  proscribed  and  banishea.  He  was 
afterwards  Chaplain  to  De  Lancey's  Third  Bat 
talion  of  American  Loyalists,  and  at  th.e  close  of 
the  war  he  went  to  Nova  Scotia,  and  took  charge 
of  a  church  at  Shelburue.  He  died  at  Boston, 
in  the  year  1800.  Before  he  left  his  flock  in 
Boston,  he  preached  many  furious  discourses 
against  rebellion,  and  oi'teu  warned  his  people  of 


N   O  T  E  S .  193 

the  dangers  of  the  halter  that  awaited  those  who 
lifted  their  hands  against  "the  powers  that  be." 

57  Samuel  Auchmuty,  D.  D.,  was  the  son  of  an 
eminent  lawyer  and  Judge  of  Admiralty,  in 
Massachusetts.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Harvard 
College,  and  received  his  Doctorate  of  Divinity 
from  Oxford,  England.  He  was  chosen  rector  of 
Trinity  Church,  in  New  York,  on  the  death  of 
Dr.  Barclay,  in  1764,  and  continued  his  connec 
tion  until  the  summer  of  1776,  when,  with  his 
family,  he  retired  to  New  Jersey.  He  died  the 
following  spring.  His  sermons,  before  the  break 
ing  out  of  the  war,  were  strongly  denunciatory  of 
the  Sons  of  Liberty,  as  the  associated  patriots 
were  called,  the  most  prominent  of  whom,  in  New 
York,  was  Isaac  Sear.-?,  (commonly  known  as 
u  King  Sears,")  who  was  a  member  of  his  church, 
and  at  the  close  of  the  war,  was  a  vestryman.  In 
April,  177;"),  Dr.' Auchmuty  wrote  from  New  York 
to  Captain  Montressor,  Gage's 'Chief  Engineer  in 
Boston  :  "  We  have  lately  been  plagued  with  a 
rascally  Whig  mob  here,  but  they  have  effected 
nothing,  only  Sears,  the  King,  was  I'escued  at  the 
jail  door.  [See  note  60]  *  *  *  Our 
magistrates  have  not  the  spirit  of  a  louse." 

6-  Samuel  Peter.',  D.  D.,  was  a  native  of 
Hebron,  Connecticut,  a  graduate  of  Yale  College, 
and  a  Tory  Episcopal  clergyman.  His  loyalty 
and  his  lack  of  judgment  led  him  into  many  difficul 
ties,  and  he  became  exceedingly  obnoxious  to  the 


194  NOTES. 

Whigs.  He  was  compelled  to  sign  retractions 
and  declarations,  but,  finding  Hebron  too  hot  for 
him,  he  fled  to  Boston,  and  took  shelter  under  the 
British  flag.  He  seems  to  have  indulged  a 
peculiar  spite  against  his  native  State,  and  pro 
posed  a  scheme  for  wiping  it  off  the  list  of  Com 
monwealths,  partitioning  it  between  New  York  and 
Massachusetts.  He  went  to  England,  and  re 
mained  abroad  until  1805,  when  he  returned  to 
America.  In  the  meanwhile,  he  was  elected 
Bishop  of  Vermont,  but  declined  the  honor.  He; 
had  also  written  a  History  of  Connecticut,  which 
is  a  contemptible  libel,  and  full  of  untruths.  lie 
never  acknowledged  being  the  author,  but  the  fact 
is  well  known.  In  the  years  1817  and  1818,  he 
journeyed  to  the  far  North  West,  even  to  the 
Falls  of  St.  Anthony.  He  died  at  New  York  on 
the  19th.  of  April,  1826,  aged  90  years,  and  was 
buried  at  Hebron. 

59  Myles  Cooper,-  D.  D.,  was  President  of  King's 
(DOW  Columbia)  College,  at  the  commencement  <>t 
the  Revolution,  and  for  some  years  previous.  Hi; 
•was  educated  at  Oxford,  England,  came  to  Amer- 
ca  in  1762,  and  the  next  year  was  made  Preside:,  t 
of  the  College.  His  opposition  to  the  patriots  was 
violent  and  unrelenting,  yet  some  of  the  students 
under  Iris  care,  among  whom  was  Alexander  Ham 
ilton,  boldly  defied  his  menaces.  He  became  very 
obnoxious  to  the  Whigs;  and,  finally,  feeling 
alarmed  for  his  personal  safety,  he  fled  in  haste 


NOTES.  195 

from  the  College,  took  refuge  in  Stuyvesant's 
house,  near  the  East  River,  and  made  his  escape 
on  board  the  Asia,  a  British  man-of-war.  He 
went  to  England  soon  afterward,  and  never 
returned.  He  died  suddenly  at  Edinburgh,  in 
1785,  at  the  age  of  iifty  years.  Among  his  papers 
was  found  the  following  epitaph,  written  by  him 
self: 

"  Here  lies  a  priest  of  English  blood, 
Who,  living,  liked  whate'er  was  good  ; 
Good  company,  good  wine,  good  name, 
Yet  never  hunted  after  fame." 

60  Samuel  Seabury,  D.  D..  was  the  first  Bishop 
of  the  Protestant  p]piscopal  Church  in  America. 
He  was  a  native  of  New  London,  Connecticut, 
where  his  remains  were  laid  at  death.  He  took 
orders  in  the  Church  in  London,  in  1753,  and 
became  pastor  of  a  congregation  in  New  Bruns 
wick,  New  Jersey.  He  afterwards  took  charge  of 
a  small  flock  at  Jamaica,  Long  Island,  and  from 
there  he  went  to  We.^tchester  county,  New  York, 
where  he  was  settled  at  the  commencement  of  the 
Revolution.  There  he  took  an  active  part  witb 
the  loyalists,  and  was  one  of  a  large  number  whc 
met  at  White  Plain?,  and  signed  a  protest  against 
"all  unlawful  Congresses  and  Committees,"  am 
expressed  their  determination  "  to  support  tlr 
King  and  Constitution,"  at  all  hazards.  The.- 
proceedings  made  him  a  mark  for  public  indigna 
tion,  and  when,  in  the  autumn  of  1775,  a  party  ot 


196  NOTES. 

light  horsemen  from  Connecticut,  led  by  "  King 
Sears,"  returned  from  destroying  Rivington's 
printing  press  in  New  York,  they  carried  Mr. 
Seabury  with  them  as  a  prisoner  to  Connecticut. 
After  his  release,  he  became  Chaplain  in  Colonel 
Fauning's  American  Regiment  of  Loyalists.  He 
settled  at,  New  London,  at  the  clo:se  of  the  war ; 
was  consecrated  bishop  in  Scotland  in  1784,  and 
presided  over  the  dioceses  of  Connecticut  and 
Rhode  Island,  until  his  death,  in  February,  1790. 
He  was  highly  esteemed  for  his  piety  and  learn 
ing. 

61  Judges,  chapter  v. 

62  Revelations,  chapter  xiii. 

63  A  kind  of  paste-blacking,  containing  grease, 
and  much  used  in  those  days  for  the  preservation 
of  shoes  from  the  effects  of  water.     It  was  made 
in  the  form  of  a  ball. 

M  A  soft,  friable  clay,  which  absorbs  grease,  and 
was  much  used  in  fulling  cloth. 

63  In  allusion  to  the  sale  of  Indulgences  in  the 
Papal  Church,  by  which,  for  certain  sums  of 
money,  a  man  was  allowed  to  commit  certain  sins, 
and  even  great  crimes.  This  practice  was  com 
menced  by  Pope  Leo  the  Third,  about  the  year 
800.  Urban  used  them  for  revenue  in  1090,  and 
afterwards  they  were  offered  by  the  Roman  Pon 
tiffs  as  awards  to  the  Crusaders.  Clement  the 
First  made  the  first  public  sale  of  them  in  1313 
In  1517,  Leo  the  Tenth  published  general  Indul- 


NOTES.  197 

gences  throughout  Europe,  and  this  great  socia. 
grievance  led  to  the  Reformation,  first  in  Ger 
many,  and  then  in  England,  in  1534.  They  were 
pardon  for  sins  past,  present,  and  future ;  and 
were  written  upon  parchment,  and  signed  by  the 
Pope  or  his  legates. 

66  1   Samuel,  chapter  x. 

67  This  refers   to  the  position  of  the  Pope  of 
Rome,  who  is  also  a  temporal  prince. 

68  See  Virgil's  JEneid,  book  vi. 

H  James  Rivington,  printer  of  the  Royal  Ga 
zette,  in  New  York,  during  the  Revolution.  He 
came  to  America  from  London,  in  1760,  estab 
lished  a  bookstore,  first  in  Philadelphia,  and  then 
in  New  York,  and  in  1773  commenced  his  paper, 
first  called  the  Royal  Gazetteer.  No  man  was 
more  detected  by  the  Whigs  than  Rivington,  and 
his  piper  received  the  name  of  the  Lying  Gazette. 
Frenau,  another  poet  of  the  Revolution,  gave  him 
many  hard  blows ;  and  at  public  meetings  he  was 
everywhere  denounced.  In  the  autumn  of  1775 
a  party  of  light  horsemen  from  Connecticut,  led 
by  Isaac  Sears,  (one  of  the  chiefs  of  the  Sons  of 
Liberty  in  New  York,)  rode  iuto  the  city,  dis 
mounted  in  front  of  Rivingtou's  printing  office, 
and  deliberately  destroyed  his  press,  and  carried 
off  his  types.  The  following  year,  when  the 
British  had  taken  possession  of  New  York,  he  was 
appointed  King's  Printer,  resumed  the  publi 
cation  of  his  paper,  and  continued  it  until  tha 


198  NOTES. 

close  of  the  war,  when,  to  the  astonishment  of  all, 
he  remained  in  the  city  unmolested,  while  far  less 
sinful  loyalists  felt  compelled  to  flee  to  Canada 
and  Nova  Scotia.  The  reason  is  in  the  fact,  that 
he  was  false  to  his  royal  imster,  and  that  during 
the  latter  years  of  the  war,  while  he  was  abusing  the 
Whigs  the  most,  he  was  secretly  conveying  intelli 
gence  to  General  Washington  of  all  the  important 
movements  of  the  British  in  the  city.  See  Los- 
sing's  Pictorial  FielJ  Bjjk  of  the  Revolution, 
ii.,591.  Rivington  died  i-.i  Now  York  in  July, 
1802,  at  the  a<ie  of  S3ve  ity-eight  yoar.-i. 

'°  Crean  Bru.sh  was  a  co;iceitjd  and  sycophantic 
loyalist  in  New  York.  II  .3  was  a  native  of  Cum 
berland  county,  (now  forming  a  part  of  the 
southern  portion  of  Vermont,  next  to  New  York,) 
and  member  of  the  Assembly.  In  February, 
1775,  he  madi  a  speech  against  the  appointment 
of  delegates  to  the  second  Continental  Congress, 
which*  was  published.  It  was  answered  by  Philip 
Schuyler  and  George  Clinton.  He  continually 
opposed  Whig  measures; 'and  after  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill,  we  find  him  in  Boston,  ready,  with 
supple  muscles,  to  do  the  will  of  General  Howe, 
in  damaging  the  patriots. 

71  Dr.  JMyles  Cooper,  referred  to  in  note  59. 

"  Isaac  VVilkins,  D.  D.,  was  the  son  of  a  rich 
West  India  planter,  and  when  quite  young  was 
sent  to  New  York  to  be  educated.  He  prepared 
Jiiuiself  for  the  ministry,  but.  did  not  take  orders 


NOTES.  199 

until  some  years  afterward.  He  settled  in  West- 
chester  county,  became  a  member  of  the  New 
York  Assembly,  and  was  considered  a  leader  on 
the  ministerial  side.  He  had  great  influence,  and 
chiefly  through  his  instrumentality,  a  resolution  to 
pass  a  vote  of  (hanks  to  the  New  York  Delegates 
to  the  Continental  Congress,  offered  by  the  early 
martyr,  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  was  lost.  His 
speech  in  opposition  to  the  appointment  of  Dele 
gates  to  the  Second  Continental  Congress,  is  pre 
served  in  Sabine's  Lives  of  the  American  Loyal 
ists.  He  was  very  obnoxious  to  the  Whigs,  and 
young  Alexander  Hamilton  became  his  opponent 
with  the  pen.  Wilkins  soon  abandoned  the 
county,  went  to  England,  but  returned  to  Long 
Island  in  177G.  There  he  remained  until  the  end 
of  the  war,  when  he  retired  to  Shelburne,  in  Nova 
Scotia.  In  the  meanwhile  he  had  taken  orders  in 
the  Church;  and  in  the  year  1800,  he  became  rec 
tor  of  an  Episcopal  parish  in  Westchester  county, 
where  he  continued  in  the  ministry  until  his  death, 
in  1830,  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine  years. 

"3  Samuel  Chandler  was  a  High  Church  clerg_y- 
man,  in  New  York,  and  was  one  of  the  earliest  in 
that  city  to  denounce  the  measures  of  the  Sons  of 
Liberty.  He  became  very  obnoxious  to  the 
Whigs,  and  in  1775,  he  went  to  England,  and 
never  returned. 

'4  Benjamin  Booth  was  a  stanch  loyalist,  and 
was  for  a  time  Secretary  of  the  Loyal  Refugees 


zoo  NOTES. 

of  the  different  colonies,  whose  head  quarters 
were  iii  New  York,  under  the  protection  of  British 
arms.  He  called  a  meeting  of  the  loyalists  in  that 
city  in  September,  1778,  when,  it  appears,  about 
two  thousand  of  them  were  present. 

75  A  series  of  well-written  essays,  against  Whig 
measures,  over  the  signature  of  "  Massachusett- 
ensis,"  were  published  in  Boston  papers,  between 
December,  1774,  and  April,  1775.  The  authorship 
was  long  attributed  to  Jonathan  Sewall,  but  they 
were  really  the  production  of  Daniel  Leonard,  of 
Taunton,  Massachusetts,  who  was  one  of  the 
Mandamus  Council.  [See  r.ote  85].  Leonard 
was  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College,  was  bred  to 
the  law,  and  became  an  acute  logician,  and  power 
ful  political  writer.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
General  Court  of  Massachusetts,  and  was  one  of 
the  barristers,  who,  in  1774,  signed  an  address  to 
Governor  Hutch inson.  Bullets  were  fired  into 
his  house  by  a  mob,  and  he  took  refuge  in  Boston 
in  May,  1775.  In  1776  he  accompanied  the 
British  army  to  Halifax,  and  afterward  became 
Chief  Justice  of  the  Bermudas.  He  died  in 
London  in  1829,  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine  years. 
His  essays,  above  alluded  to,  wen;  answered  by 
John  Adams,  over  the  signature  of  "  Novanglus," 
in  a  series  published  between  January  and  the 
19th  of  April.  1775.  Both  were  reprinted  in  1819 
with  a  preface  by  Mr.  Adams. 

16  Those  powerful  and  widely-scattered  engines 


NOTES.  201 

of  the  Revolution,  Committees  of  Correspondence 
became  exceedingly  hateful  to  the  government  and 
the  loyalists.  Massachusetts  and  Virginia  have 
disputed  the  honor  of  originating  them.  They 
seem  to  have  b^en  conceived  by  leading  pa 
triots  almost  simultaneously  in  both  colonies, 
in  1773,  and  in  1774 ;  they  existed  all  over  the 
land.  They  were  the  depositories  arid  distributors 
of  secret  information  of  every  kind,  and  through 
them,  concert  of  political  action  was  seen  every 
where,  from  New  Hampshire  to  Georgia.  Of 
these  "  Massachussttcusis  "  said,  "  This  is  the  foul 
est,  subtlest,  and  most  venomous  serpent  ever  issued 
from  the  egg  of  sedition.  It  is  the  source  of  the 
rebellion.  I  saw  the  small  seed  when  it  was 
implanted;  [by  Samuel  Adams]  it  was  a  grain 
of  mustard.  I  have  watched  the  plant  until  it 
has  become  a  great  tree.  The  vilest  reptiles  that 
crawl  upon  the  earth  arc  concealed  at  the  root; 
the  foulest  birds  of  the  air  rest  upon  its  branches. 
I  now  would  induce  you  to  go  to  work  immedi 
ately  with  axes  and  hatchets  to  cut  it  down,  for  a 
twofold  reason ;  because  it  is  a  pest  to  society, 
and  lest  it  be  felled  suddenly,  by  a  stronger  arm, 
and  crush  its  thousands  in  its  fall." 

17  Thomas  Hutchinson,  Governor  of  Massachu 
setts,  from  1771  until  superseded  by  Gage,  in  the 
spring  of  1774.  He  was  a  native  of  that  province, 
held  many  important  public  offices,  and  wrote  a 
valuable  history  of  his  native  colony.  Some  of  his 


2O2  NOTES. 

obnoxious  acts  will  be  referred  to  hereafter.  lie 
became  alarmed  for  his  personal  safety,  and  fled  to 
England.  The  allusion  of  the  poet  is  to  a  laudatory 
address  which  loyalists  and  timid  Whigs  presented 
to  him,  just  before  his  departure.  He  died  in 
England  in  June,  1780. 

78  Jonathan  Sewall  was  a  native  of  Massachu 
setts,  was  educated  at  Harvard  College,  became  a 
school  teacher,  and  then  a  lawyer,  and  at  about 
the  year  1707,  was  appointed  Attorney-General  of 
Massachusetts.  It  is  believed  that  he  was  dis 
posed  to  take  part  with  the  Whigs,  but  had  not 
the  courage.  He  and  John  Adams  were  intimate 
?ricnds,  and  that  friendship  was  not  broken,  even 
after  Sewall  became  one  of  the  addressors  of 
Hutchinson  in  1774.  Later  in  the  season,  he 
tried  to  persuade  Adams  not  to  attend  the  Conti 
nental  Congress,  when  the  firm  patriot  used  those 
remarkable  words  :  "  Tiic  die  is  now  cast;  I  have 
now  passed  the  Rubicon  ;  swim  or  sink,  live  or  die 
survive  or  perish,  with  my  country,  is  my  unal 
terable  determination."  They  never  met  again 
until  after  the  war.  Judge  Sewall  became  Gage's 
chief  adviser,  and,  it  is  said,  wrote  most  of  his 
proclamations.  He  was  an  essayist  of  some  dis 
tinction.  His  house  at  Cambridge  was  attacked 
by  a  mob,  and  he  fled  to  Boston  :  and  in  1775  he 
went  to  England,  and  resided  at  Bristol.  In 
1788,  he  came  to  America,  and  was  made  Judge 
of  Admiralty  in  the  province  of  New  Brunswick 


NOTES.  203 

He  died  there  in  1796,  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight 
years.  His  wife  was  a  sister  of  Dorothy  Quincy, 
wife  of  John  Hancock. 

79  Nathaniel  Mills  and  John  Hicks  were  printers 
of  a  ministerial  paper  in  Boston.  They  opened  a 
printing-house,  as  partners,  in  School  street,  in 
1773,  and  their  paper,  the  Massachusetts  Gazette 
and  Boston  Post  Boy,  became  the  government 
organ  in  that  city.  The  commencement  of  hos 
tilities,  in  1775,  put  an  end  to  their  paper,  and  the 
following  spring  they  accompanied  the  refugee 
loyalists  who  fled  to  Halifax  with  the  British 
army,  when  Washington  drove  it  out  of  Boston. 
They  afterwards  opened  a  stationery  store  in  New 
York,  and  printed  some  for  the  royal  army  and 
navy.  They  were  among  the  New  York  refugees 
who  fled  to  Nova  Scotia,  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

""  Margaret,  was  the  widow  of  Richard  Draper, 
printer  of  the  Massachusetts  Gazette  and  News 
Letter,  who  died  in  Boston,  in  June,  1774.  Mrs. 
Draper  continued  the  paper  after  the  death  of  her 
husband.  She  became  his  successor  as  printer  to 
the  Governor  and  Council,  and  continued  business 
wLile  the  British  were  in  possession  of  Boston.  It 
was  the  first  and  the  last  newspaper  published  iu 
Bo,ytou,  previous  to  the  Declaration  of  Indepen 
dence.  Mrs.  Draper  went  to  Halifax  with  the 
army,  and  from  thence  accompanied  friends  to 
England,  where  she  received  a  pension  until  her 
death,  a  few  years  afterward. 


ZO4  NOTES. 

81  Judge  Sewall  wrote  a  farce  called  America 
Arouse.  It  was  a  dull  affair — a  farce  of  itself, 
and  not  to  be  laughed  at. 

52  The  oppressive  provisions  of  the  Boston  Port 
Bill,  went  into  effect  on  the  first  of  June,  1774. 
The  Provincial  Congress  of  Massachusetts  ap 
pointed  that  day  as  one  of  solemn  fasting  and 
prayer,  for  the  people  of  the  province. 

63  In  various  places  the  people  had  signed  a 
League,  agreeing  not  to  import  or  use  tea  in  any 
way,  while  a  duty  levied  by  government  without 
the  consent  of  the  colonists,  remained  upon  that 
article.  Yet  men  were  found  among  loyalists 
bold  enough  to  brave  public  opinion  by  becoming 
consignees.  Intelligence  reached  America  that 
ships  laden  with  tea  were  crossing  the  ocean. 
The  people  gathered,  and  made  preparations  in 
several  seaport  towns  to  prevent  the  landing  of 
the  cargoes.  Two  tea  ships  arrived  in  Boston, 
late  in  1773.  The  consignees  were  warned  of 
danger,  but  refused  to  listen.  They  were  threat 
ened  by  mobs ;  and  one  of  them,  Richard  Clarke, 
had  his  house  damaged  by  missies  thrown  by  a 
crowd  of  excited  people.  Finally,  on  the  evening 
of  the  16th  of  December,  a  party,  many  of  them 
disguised,  went  on  board  the  tea  ships,  and  cast 
their  contents  into  Boston  Harbor.  The  con 
signees  were  despised  as  supple  tools  of  the 
British  ministry,  and  this  popular  demonstration 


NOTES.  205 

kept  them  quiet  and  inactive  ever  afterward.  See 
note  31,  Canto  iii. 

84  Peter  Oliver,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  was 
made,  first  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  and 
then  Chief  Justice  of  the  province,  notwithstand 
ing  he  was  not  bred  a  lawyer,  nor  possessed  a 
knowledge  of  legal  science.  He  was  graduated  at 
Harvard  in  1730,  and  possessed  some  learning 
and  fair  abilities,  but  was  totally  unfit  for  the  high 
office  which  he  held.  Because  he  received  his 
salary  direct  from  the  crown,  instead  of  the  people 
of  Massachusetts,  and  thus  became  independent 
of  the  latter,  he  was  impeached  in  1774,  and  soon 
afterward  went  to  England.  He  died  at  Birming 
ham,  in  the  autumn  of  1791. 

s5  A  writ  of  mandamus  is  a  command  from  a 
high  power,  to  any  person,  corporation,  or  inferior 
court,  requiring  them  to  do  some  specified  act 
which  appertains  to  their  office  or  duty.  By  the 
charter  of  Massachusetts,  the  Council  had  always 
been  elective,  but  by  one  of  the  bills  passed  by 
Parliament  in  the  spring  of  1774,  that  charter 
was  declared  void,  and  the  King  appointed  a 
council  by  mandamus.  They  were,  of  course, 
chosen  from  among  the  loyalists,  and  many  of  them 
accepted  the  office,  and  took  the  prescribed  oath. 
These  councillors  became  very  detestable  to  the 
Whigs,  who  regarded  their  act  as  equivalent  to 
joining  the  crown  in  its  oppressions. 


zo6  NOTES. 

86  "  A    proper    emblem    of    his    genius,"    says 
Trumbull. 

87  John  Murray   was   a  native  of  Rutland,  in 
Massachusetts,  a  coloual  of  militia,  and  for  several 
years  a  member  of  the  General  Court.     He  was 
one  of  the  Mandamus  Council,  but  was  not  sworn 
into  office.     Menaced  by  the  Whigs,  he  abandoned 
Ms  house  in  the  night,  fled  to  Boston,  and  accom 
panied    the   British    army    to    Halifax    in    1776. 
After  the  war,  Colonel  Murray  became  a  resident 
of  St.   Johns,    New   Brunswick.     His   large  pro 
perty  in  the  United  States  was  confiscated,  yet  he 
left  a  handsome  estate  in  St.  Johns. 

s8  Timothy  Ruggles  was  an  old  stager  in  public 
life,  having  been  a  member  of  the  Massachusetts 
Assembly  as  early  as  1736.  He  was  a  man  of  de 
cided  talents  and  energy,  a  lawyer  by  profession,  but 
for  many  years  was  a  tavern-keeper  in  Sandwich. 
He  loved  military  life,  attained  to  the  rank  of  a 
brigadier-general,  and  led  a  body  of  troops  to  join 
Sir  William  Johnson,  in  1755.  He  was  distin 
guished  in  the  battle  at  the  head  of  Lake  George 
that  year.  Two  years  afterward,  he  was  appointed 
a  Judge ;  arid  in  1765,  he  was  one  of  the  Massa 
chusetts  delegates  to  the  "  Stamp  Act  Congress," 
assembled  at  New  York.  He  was  President  of 
that  body,  but  his  conduct  was  so  loyal  toward 
the  Crown,  that  he  was  ceusured  by  the  Assembly 
of  his  province.  When  the  Revolution  broke  out, 
lie  was  a  violent  opponent  of  the  Whigs,  and 


NOTES.  207 

crowned  his  detested  acts  by  becoming  a  Manda 
mus  Councillor.  His  house  was  attacked,  his 
cattle  were  injured,  and  in  terror,  he  fled  to  Boston, 
and  endeavored  '  to  raise  a  volunteer  corps  of 
loyalists.  He  then  proposed  associations  to  act 
against  the  Whigs;  and  when  the  British  army 
fled  to  Halifax,  he  was  among  the  refugee  loyalists 
who  accompanied  it.  He  afterwards  appeared 
upon  Long  Island  and  Stateu  Island,  and  succeeded 
iu.  raising  a  military  corps  of  about  three  hundred 
men,  called  the  Loyal  Militia,  but  he  did  not  per 
form  much  service  with  them.  His  property  was 
confiscated  iu  1779,  ai.d  he  went  to  Nova  Scotia 
al  the  conclusion  of  the  war.  He  died  in  1798 
at  the  age  of  eighty-ssvea  years.  Mercy  Warren, 
in  her  drama  called  The  Group,  gives  him  the 
character  of  Hate-all,  because  he  wras  a  sort  of 
social  Ishmael. 

K'J  Josiah  Edson,  of  Bridgewater,  Massachusetts, 
was  an  active  politician,  and  was  known  by  the 
odious  names  of  Rescinder  and  Mandamus  Coun 
cillor.  He  was  a  man  of  weak  courage,  and  was 
rather  a  passive  than  an  active  loyalist,  yet  a 
mob  attacked  his  house,  and  he  was  compelled  to 
fiee  to  Boston  for  safety,  in  1774.  He  went  to 
Halifax  in  1776,  and  afterwards  became  a  resident 
iu  the  city  (or  its  vicinity)  of  New  York,  where 
he  died.  He  is  represented  as  an  amiable,  virtuous 
and  highly  respectable  man.  But  mobs  make  no 
distinction  of  persons,  if  their  avowed  principles 
are  offensive. 


zo8  NOTES 

90  Nathaniel    Ray    Thomas   was   a   resident   of. 
Marshfield,  and  a  graduate  of  Harvard  University 
in    1751.       Having    become    a   member   of    the 
Mandamus  Council,  he  shared  in  the  afflictions  of 
that   unhappy  body,  who  seemed   to  receive  the 
special  attention   of  mobs.     He  went  to  Halifax 
in  1776,  and  in  1778  his  property  was  confiscated. 
He  died  in  Nova  Scotia  in  1791. 

91  This   was   Joshua   Loring,  of  Massachusetts, 
whose  property  was  confiscated,  and  himself  ban 
ished.     He  became  British  commissary  of  prison 
ers  in  Boston,  and  is   charged  with   the  perpetra 
tion  of  most  outrageous   cruelties  toward   them. 
It  is  affirmed  that  when  he  fled  to.  England,  his 
wife  did  not  accompany  him,  but  remained  as  mis 
tress  of  General  Sir  William  Howe.     An  allusion 
is  made  to  her  in  Francis  Hopkinson's  Battle  of 
the  Keys,   as  "  Mrs.   L g."     Loring   left  be 
hind  him  a  name  most  odious,  and  he  never  re 
turned  to  America.     He  died  in  England,  in  1782. 

'2  Sir  William  Peppcrell  was  a  descendant  of 
the  first  of  that  name,  who  settled  in  Maine,  and 
\vas  knighted  by  William  the  Third.  He  was 
educated  at  Harvard  University,  and  was  after 
wards  one  of  the  Council  of  Massachusetts.  He 
was  continued  in  that  office  under  the  mandamus 
of  the  King  in  1774,  and,  of  course,  became  very 
odious  to  the  people.  He  was  denounced  by  his 
neighbors,  and  in  fear  he  fled  to  Boston.  He  and 
his  wife  started  for  England  in  1775.  but  she  died 


NOTES.  209 

on  the  passage.  He  was  proscribed  and  banished  by 
the  act  of  1778,  and  the  following  year  his  property 
was  confiscated,  under  the  conspiracy  act.  He 
was  an  active,  benevolent  and  very  useful  citizen, 
and  became  one  of  the  founders  of  the  British 
and  Foreign  Bible  Society.  He  was  also  Presi 
dent  of  the  Association  of  Loyalists,  in  London, 
formed  in  1779.  He  never  returned  to  America. 
He  died  at  his  residence  on  Portman  Square,  in 
December,  1816,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  He 
appears  iu  West's  celebrated  picture,  the  "  Recep 
tion  of  the  American  Loyalists  by  Great  Britain, 
in  1783,"  a  copy  of  which  may  be  found  in  Lossing'a 
Field  Book  of  the  Revolution,  vol.  ii.  page  667. 

93  William  Browne  was  a  grandson  of  Governor 
Burnet,  was  owner  of  an  immense  landed  estate, 
and  was  one  of  the  hated  Mandamus  Councillors. 
He  was  an  active   and  popular  man  in  Massachu 
setts,  prior  to  the  Revolution.     He  was  compelled 
to  leave  in  1776 ;   and  in  1779,  his  property  was 
confiscated,  and  he  became  an  exile  in  England. 
Afterward    he    was   appointed    Governor   of    the 
Bermudas.     He  died  in  England  in  1802. 

94  John  Erving,  Jr.,  of  Boston,  was  an  addresser 
of  both  Hutchiuson  and  Gage,  and  a  Mandamus 
Councillor.      He   was    therefore    double-dyed'  in 
iniquity  in    the    eyes  of  the  Whigs.      He    led    to 
Halifax   iu    1776,  and  from   thence    to   England. 
He  was  perpetually   banished,   and  his  property 
being  confiscated  by  the  conspiracy  act  of  1779, 


no  NOT  F  s . 

he  never  returned  to  his  native  country.  He  died 
in  England  in  1810,  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine 
years. 

95  Henry  the   Eighth,    of  England,  established 
Protestantism  as  the  religion  of  the  State,  at  about 
the  middle  of  the  sixteenth  century,  aud  during 
the  reign  of  his  son  Edward,  which  commenced  in 
1574,    the    tangible    line    of   doctrinal   difference 
between  Luther  and  Calvin  was  drawn.     The  fol 
lowers  of  the  former  allowed  many  of  the  ceremo 
nials  of  the  Church  of  Rome.     Those  of  the  latter 
were  more  austere,  demanded  more   simplicity  in 
the  public  worship,  and  great  purity  of  life.      On 
the  latter  account,   they   were   called  Puritans, 
in  derision.     They  were  afterwards  persecuted  by 

.both  the  llomau  Catholics  and  the  English  church 
men.  Many  fled  to  Holland,  and  from  the  Puritan 
congregation  there,  came  the  Pilgrim  Fathers, 
who  commenced  settlements  in  New  England,  in 
1620. 

96  Harrison  Gray  was  Treasurer,  or   llecoivcr- 
Grer.eral  of  Massachusetts.      He  was  an  addresser 
of    Hutchinson,    and    one    of   Gage's    Mandamus 
Council.      He    became    greatly    detested    by    the 
Whigs  on  that  account,  and   especially  because  of 
a  pamphlet  which  ho  wrote,  in  which  he  charged 
the  Congress  of  Philadelphia   with   being   drunk 
when  they  sig.ied  the  Continental  Association.    A 
copy  of  the  Association  may  be  found  in  the  journals 
of  the  first  Congress,  in  1774.     At  the  evacuation 


NOTES.  211 

of  Boston  by  the  British,  he  went,  with  others,  to 
Hal. fax,  aud  from  thence  to  England,  where  he 
diud.  Ou  leaving,  he  parted  with  his  only  daugh 
ter,  who  was  the  first  wife  of  Samuel  Otis,  father 
of  the  late  Harrison  Gray  Otis,  of  Boston.  Mr. 
Gray  was  an  excellent  man,  in  every  relation  of 
life,  and  did  not  deserve  the  harsh  language  here 
made  use  of  by  the  poet. 

97  The  Earl  of  Dartmouth  succeeded  the  Earl 
of  Hillsborough  as  Secretary  of  State  for  the 
Colonies  in  1772,  and  was  in  that  station  when  the 
Revolution  broke  out.  He  was  considered  rather 
friendly  to  the  colonies  at  first ;  and  was  always 
favorable  to  mild  measures.  He  aud  Doctor 
Franklin  were  warm  personal  friends. 

IJS  The  "prime  saint"  alluded  to  was  Governor- 
Hutchinson,  who  always  professed  great  friendship 
for  the  people  of  his  native  province.  His  own 
letters  proved  his  hypocrisy,  for  while  he  was 
making  these  professions,  he  was  writing  to  the 
ministry,  declaring  the  necessity,  in  order  to 
maintain  government  in  Massachusetts,  of  destroy 
ing  the  charter,  abridging  what  he  termed  English 
liberties,  making  Judges  dependant  only  upon  the 
Crown,  and  creating  a  nobility  in  America  ! 
Some  of  these  letters  were  secretly  placed  in  the 
hands  of  Dr.  Franklin,  then  Provincial  Agent  at- 
the  English  Court,  and  he  transmitted  them  to 
Boston.  Soon  afterward,  (1773,)  finding  himself 
suspected  of  advising  thu  ministry  to  employ  op« 


2iz  NOTES. 

pressive  measures,  he  declared,  in  a  message  to 
the  Assembly,  that  he  had  ever  been  an  advocate 
of  the  rights  of  the  province  contained  in  the 
charter,  and  the  equal  liberties  of  the  colonists 
with  other  British  subjects.  His  letters  were 
then  published,  and  gave  the  lie  to  all  his  preten 
sions.  The  excitement  which  they  produced  was 
intense,  and,  for  a  time,  his  person  was  in  great 
danger. 

99  When  Hutchinson  fled  to  England,  a  spirit 
of    revenge,   uniting   with    his    real    sentiments 
respecting  government  in  America,  caused  him  to 
strongly  urge  Lord   North  to  turn  the  screw  of 
oppression  still  closer,  and  he  remained   a  bitter 
and  uncompromising  enemy  of  the  Americans. 

100  After  the  events  at  Lexington  and  Concord, 
Boston  was  menaced  by  an  exasperated  multitude, 
and  General  Gage  became  alarmed.     He  aban 
doned  his  haughty  tone  and  demeanor,  and  sought 
an  interview  with  the  select  men,  as  the  municipal 
trustees  were  called.     A   town  meeting  was  held 
on    the    22d    of    April,    and   an    agreement    was 
entered  into  between  the  local  authorities  and  the 
Governor,  "  That  upon  the  inhabitants  in  general 
lodging  their  arms   in  Faneuil   Hall,  or  any  other 
convenient  place,  under  the  care  of  the  select  men, 
marked  with  the  names  of  their  respective  owners, 
all  such  inhabitants  that  arc  inclined,  might  leave 
the  town  with  their  families  and  eifects,"  &c.,&c. 
The  Tories  remonstrated  with  Gage,  and  working 


NOTES.  21^ 

npon  his  fears  in  another  way,  caused  him  to  put 
obstacles  in  the  way  of  the  people  who  desired  to 
leave,  and  finally,  to  refuse  to  grant  passes  alto 
gether.  He  concluded  it  was  better  to  keep  the 
Whigs  in  the  city,  as  hostages  for  the  good  beha 
vior  of  their  brethren  outside,  for  really, 

"  They  were  the  only  guards  that  saved  him." 

105  When  the  news  of  the  skirmishes  at  Lexing 
ton  and  Concord  swept  over  New  England,  the 
people  flocked  toward  Boston  by  hundreds  and 
thousands,  resolved  to  chain  the  tiger  upon  that 
peninsula,  or  drive  him  into  the  sea.  Israel 
Putnam,  a  veteran  of  the  French  and  Indian  War, 
and  then  a  brigadier-general  of  the  Connecticut 
militia,  was  among  the  earliest  of  the  rallying 
minute-men  of  the  East,  and  took  command  of 
the  motley  host  by  common  consent,  at  first. 
Gage  well  -knew  the  spirit  of  the  man,  and  was 
in  daily  expectation  that  he  would  force  his 
way  into  Boston,  and  "  mutton  him ;  "  in 
other  words,  destroy  him  and  his  army.  Putnam 
was  afterwards  appointed  one  of  the  four  major- 
generals,  commissioned  by  Congress  to  assist  in 
the  command  of  the  Continental  Army ;  and  he 
served  his  country  well,  until  disabled  by  paralysis, 
in  1779.  He  lived  in  retirement  after  the  war, 
and  died  in  Brooklyn,  Wyndham  county,  Con 
necticut,  on  the  29th  of  May,  1790,  at  the  age  of 
eeventy-two  years. 


214  NOTES. 

IW  Numbers,  chapter  xxx. 

10  In  1766,  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  in  New  York, 
as  Ihe  associated  patriots  who  opposed  the  Stamp 
Act  were  called,  ai'ter  dining  at  Montague's,  and 
procuring  the  sanction  of  the  Governor,  erected  a 
masf  or  tall  pole  a  little  north-east  of  the  present 
City  Hall,  in  front  of  Warren  street,  and  upon  it 
was  inscribed,  "  To  his  most  gracious  majesty, 
George  the  Third,  Win.  Pitt  and  Liberty."  These 
poles  were  erected  afterward,  and  elsewhere,  and 
became  known  as  "  Liberty  poles,"  a  name  which 
they  still  bear.  Around  these  poles  the  patriots  as 
sembled,  and  near  them  they  sometimes  punished 
Tory  offenders,  by  stripping  them  naked,  pouring 
warm  tar  over  them,  and  then  emptying  a  bag  of 
feathers  upon  thorn.  There  were  certain  large  trees 
in  13oston,  Norwich,  Charleston  and  other  places, 
where  the  Whigs  assembled,  which  were  called 
TAberty  trees  These  became  very  obnoxious  to  the 
f/iends  of  government,  and  attempts  were  often  inaJ.i 
to  cut  them  down.  The  one  in  Boston,  which 
stood  at  the  corner  of  the  present  Washington  and 
Essex  streets,  opposite  the  Boylston  Market,  was 
cut  down  by  the  British  in  1775,  with  great 
parade.  A  soldier  was  killed  by  falling  from  its 
branches,  during  the  operation,  of  whom  somu 
poetic  wit  of  the  day  wrote : 

"  1'ale  turned  the  wretch — he  spread  each  helpless  hand 
But  spread  in  vain — with  headlong  force  he  fell, 
Nor  stopped  desL-euuing  till  he  stopped  in  hell !  " 


NOTES.  215 

104  This  is  in  allusion  to  the  church  discipline  of 
New  England,  when  a  person  was  obliged  to  stand 
in  the  aisle,  called  the  "  broad  alley,"  name  the 
offence  he  had  committed,  and  ask  pardon,  of  his 
brethren. 


CANTO     II 

1  This  refers  to  the  thrice-repeated  words  "  Oh 
yes !  "  used  in  opening  courts,  and  as  a  preface  to 
verbal  proclamations,  and  the  commencement  of 
the  business  of  public  meetings. 

-  The  person  here  alluded  to,  was  William 
Laud,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  who  was  the 
Primate,  or  Chief  Ecclesiastical  officer  of  England, 
during  a  portion  of  the  reign  of  Charles  the  First. 
He  succeeded  Abbot  as  primate,  in  1633,  and  at 
the  same  time  he  was  the  prime  minister  of  State. 
He  held  these  exalted  offices  with  a  firm  and  steady 
rein,  and  with  great  energy  he  endeavored  to  re 
press  the  Puritan  spirit.  The  persecutions  which 
he  employed  drove  some  of  the  best  men  from 
England  to  America ;  and,  it  is  said,  that  even 
John  Hampden,  and  Oliver  Cromwell,  were,  at  one 
time,  on  the  eve  of  embarkation  for  the  New 
World.  Laud  became  very  obnoxious  to  all  who 
disliked  the  hierarchy,  and  he  was  accused  of  high 
trinies,  which  were  not  proven  against  him.  Popular 


2i6  NOTES. 

hatred  demanded  his  blood.  The  peers,  overborne 
by  the  prevailing  sentiment,  pronounced  him 
guilty,  and  he  was  beheaded  on  Tower  Hill,  on  the 
10th  of  January,  1G4-3,  when  71  years  of  age. 
That  was  four  years  before  his  royal  master 
met  the  same  fate.  Laud  was  an  honest  but  mis 
taken  man.  We  must  judge  him  by  the  spirit  of 
the  times  in  which  he  lived. 

3  In  the  edition  of  M'Fingal,  revised  by  the 
author  and  published  in  1820,  there  are  the  four 
following  lines,  immediately  preceding  this  : 

"  Who'd  seen,  except  for  these  restraints, 
Your  Witches,  Quakers,  Whigs,  and  Saints, 
Or  heard  of  Mather's  famed  Magnalia, 
If  Charles  and  Laud  had  chanced  to  fail  you  ?  " 

The  allusion  to  Cotton  Mather  refers  to  his  book 
called  Magnalia,  in  which  he  gives  a  ridiculous 
history  of  pretended  miracles  which  occurred 
during  the  first  years  of  the  settlement  of  New 
England.  In  his  "  Wonders  of  the  Invisible 
World,"  Mather  gave  an  account  of  the  delusion 
known  as  the  Salem  Witchcraft.  Mather  was  a 
man  of  learning,  yet  he  wag  a  believer  in  witches. 
Although  the  settlements  in  America  were 
nearly  all  made  by  private  individuals,  and  at  the 
expense  of  private  capital,  the  King  claimed  to 
own  the  lands  discovered  by  his  subjects  in  the 
New  World,  and  they  were  compelled  to  procure 
grants  from  him,  by  which  certain  privileges  were 


NOTES.  217 

given  to  the  proprietor,  who  made  the  settlements. 
These  charters  were  the  original  fundamental  laws 
of  all  the  colonies.  That  given  to  llhode  Island  by 
Charles  the  Second  remained  in  force  as  the  Con 
stitution  of  the  State  until  1843,  when  the  people 
made  a  new  one.  The  first  charters  were  often 
annulled,  and  new  ones  were  given ;  and  those 
charters  in  which  privileges  were  defined  were 
regarded  by  the  people  with  great  reverence.  I  have 
already  referred  in  Note  30,  Canto  I.,  to  the  boasts 
of  English  statesmen,  concerning  aids  given  to  the 
colonists. 

4  Although  the  ancient  feud  between  France  and 
England,  as  well  as  a  difference  in  religion,  caused 
the   English  and   French  settlers  in  America  to 
regard  each  other  as  rivals,  yet  it  was  doubtless 
the  quarrels  of  the  parent  government  that  made 
them  actual  and  open  enemies,  and  brought  them 
into    bloody  conflicts.     And    in    those    wars   the 
colonists  bore  much  more  than  their  own  proper 
share  of  the  burden. 

5  Generals  Braddock,  Abercrombie,    Amherst, 
Loudoun,  Wolfe  and  others,  were  sent  over  to  con 
duct  the  war  that  broke  out  in  1755,  aud  oftentimes 
by  their  folly,  arrogance,  or  tardiness,  they  thwarted 
the  mere  enterprising  provincials,  and  stood  in  the 
way  of  success.    On  the  field  where  Braddock  was 
killed,   death  and  desolation   were  spread   in  all 
directions,  until  the  fall  of  that  officer,  and  others, 
placed  the  command  in  the  hands  of  young  Wash- 

10 


2i8  NOTES. 

ington,  when  the  fortunes  of  the  day  were  irame 
diately  changed.  In  almost  every  instance,  tho 
provincial  officers  were  more  efficient  than  those 
of  the  regular  army.  The  history  of  the  tardiness 
a:;d  stupidity  of  Loudouu  forms  a  disgraceful  chap 
ter  in  the  records  of  England.  Wolfe  and  Am- 
herst  were  the  most  efficient  of  all  the  English  of 
ficers  who  were  sent  to  America  during  the  French 
and  Indian  War. 

6  The   energy  and  justice  of  Pitt  were  greatly 
applauded   by  the   Americans  ;   and  when,  in   the 
spring  of  1750,  his  splendid   scheme  for  the  con 
quest  of  Canada  was  to  be  put  into  execution,  the 
provincials  flocked  to  the  standards  of  their  chiefs 
with  such  alacrity,  that  the  quota  of  soldiers  called 
for  was  far  exceeded  by  numbers.     When  Amherst 
came,  he  fouiid  twenty  thousand  troops  at  his  dis 
posal,  and  many  others  were  eager  to  join  the  royal 
army. 

7  The  first   step    toward    the    establishment  of 
Episcopacy  in  America  was  at  about  the  year  1748, 
when   Dr.  Seeker,  archbishop  of  Canterbury,  not 
only  proposed  the  matter,  but  offered  the  mitre  to 
several    Puritan    divines.      AYhitetield,    the    cele 
brated   field-preacher,  said    to    Dr.    Langdon,    of 
Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  at  about  that  time, 
"  I  can't  in  conscience  leave  this  town  without  ac 
quainting  you  with  a  secret.     My  heart  bleeds  for 
America.     0    poor    New    England  !    There    is  a 
deep-laid  plot  agaiiut  both  your  civil  and  religious 


NOTES.  219 

liberties,  and  they  will  be  lost.  Your  golden  days 
are  at  an  end — you  have  nothing  but  trouble  be 
fore  you Your  liberties  will  be  lost.' 

He  referred  to  the  scheme  then  in  preparation  by 
the  English  hierarchy.  The  first  important  step 
was  the  sending  over  several  Episcopal  clergymen 
as  missionaries,  who  had  been  ordained  by  the 
Bishop  of  London.  These  settled  in  the  colonies; 
and  those  at  the  North,  especially,  became  attached 
to  the  royal  cause.  The  intention  was  to  have  the 
New  England  churches  ruled  by  bishops;  but  the 
Revolution  swept  the  whole  plan  into  oblivion. 

8  The  simple  fact  of  sending  troops  to  America 
to  awe  the  people,  produced  much  irritation  in  the 
provinces;  but  when  the  colonists  were  called 
upon  to  contribute  toward  the  support  of  these 
troops,  they  regarded  the  matter  as  downright  op 
pression.  The  New  York  Assembly  refused  to 
vote  supplies,  and  for  this  contumacious  act,  Par 
liament,  in  1767,  passed  an  act,  "  prohibiting  the 
Governor,  Council,  and  Assembly  of  New  York, 
passing  any  legislative  act  for  any  purpose  what 
ever  "  This  alarming  disability  caused  the  legis 
lature  of  that  province  to  make  some  concessions, 
yet  the  point  was  not  yielded  until  1769,  when  a 
small  appropriation  was  made  for  the  support  of  the 
troops.  In  Boston,  the  insolence  of  the  troops 
greatly  irritated  the  people,  and  finally  they  came 
to  an  open  rupture  early  in  March,  1770,  which 
resulted  in  the  death  of  several  citizens.  This 


22O  NOTES. 

event  is  known  in  history  as  The  Boston  Massa* 
ere.  So  in  Wilmington  in  North  Carolina,  and 
in  Charleston  in  South  Carolina,  and  other  places, 
the  people  were  exceedingly  restiff  under  the 
frowns  of  a  military  despotism. 

9  It  has  been  asserted  that  a  large  portion  of  the 
old  English  peerage,  created  previous  to  the  close 
of  the  reign  of  Charles  the  Second,  have  originated 
from  the  illegitimate  progeny  of  the  kings.     It  is 
to  this  fact,  and  the  grievance  of  having  such  men 
hold  all  of  the  best  offices  of  trust  and  emolument 
in  the  kingdom,  that  the  author  here  alludes. 

10  At  that  time  the  urgent  calls  of  an  exchequer, 
depleted  by  recent  wars  and   increasing  pensions, 
caused  the  levying  of  very  heavy  taxes,  even  in 
Scotland  and   Ireland,  where,  hitherto,  they  had 
been  less  than  in    England.      The  Scotch  mur 
mured,  and  the  Irish  endured   the  burden  with  a 
bad  grace,  while  the   English   people  themselves, 
borne  down  by  taxation,  sympathized  with  their 
brethren   in   America,  in   their   resistance  to  the 
same  form  of  oppression.     The  chief  cause  of  com 
plaint  was  the  pensioning  of,  and  giving  sinecure 
places  to,  undeserving  scions  of  royalty  or  the  aris 
tocracy.     And  the   Americans  justly  complained 
that  the  best  offices  in  the  colonies  were  filled  by 
such  men,  to  the  exclusion  of  native-born  citizens, 
•who  could  justly  boast  of  s'uperior  intelligence  and 
virtue. 

11  Sir  David  Dalrymple  was  a  ministerial  writer 


NOTES.  22» 

of  some  eminence,  and  a  lawyer  and  antiquarian 
of  note  in  Edinburgh.  He  undertook  at  one  time 
to  prove  that  all  of  the  celebrated  British  patriots, 
in  the  time  of  the  civil  war,  were  pensioners,  in 
the  pay  of  France.  He  based  his  charges  upon 
the  alleged  fact,  that  the  letters  of  the  French  am 
bassadors  in  England  disclosed  the  significant  se 
cret,  that  thousands  of  guineas  were  paid  by  them 
to  Algernon  Sydney,  John  Hampden,  &c.  He 
also  alleged  that  Admiral  Russell  defeated  the 
French  fleet  at  a  time  when  he  was  under  a  solemn 
engagement,  and  had  received  a  stipulated  sum,  to 
be  beaten  himself.  How  far  truth  will  support  a 
theory  founded  on  these  alleged  facts,  cannot  be 
easily  determined.  But  it  was  from  premises  like 
these,  that  Sir  David  argued  that  "  public  virtue 
was  but  a  name." 

12  Dr.   Samuel  Johnson   also  wrote  against  the 
Americans.     His  pamphlet  entitled   Taxation  no 
Tyranny  is  an  able  paper.     He,  too,  had  no  faith 
in  patriots  so  called,  and  in  public  virtue.     Like 
Cardinal  Richelieu,  he  believed  that  every  man 
had  his  price.     A  poet  of  the  time,  in  an  epigram, 
intimated  that  the  doctor's  price  was  paid  to  hiia 
for  his  defence  of  ministers. 

13  This  is  in  allusion  to  the  noble  words  of  Samuel 
Adams,  in  the  first  Continental  Congress,  when  a 
proposition    of    Joseph   Galloway  to   make    con 
cessions  to  Great  Britain  elicited  a  warm  debate, 
Adams  regarded  the  proposition  as  a  concession  to 


222  NOTES. 

tyranny,  and,  his  soul  kindling  with  patriotic  zeal, 
he  exclaimed  :  "  I  should  advise  persisting  in  om 
struggle  for  liberty,  though  it  were  revealed  from 
Heaven  that  nine  hundred  and  ninety-nine  were 
to  perish,  and  only  one  of  a  thousand  were  to  sur 
vive  and  retain  his  liberty  !  One  such  freeman 
must  possess  more  virtue,  and  enjoy  more  happi 
ness,  than  a  thousand  slaves;  and  let  him  propo- 
gate  his  like,  and  transmit  to  them  what  he  has  so 
nobly  preserved." 

14  Sir    Jeffrey    Amherst,    who    commanded    the 
British  troops  in  America,  in  the  final  conquest  of 
Canada. 

15  Amherst  declared,  on  the  floor  of  the   HOUPC 
of    Commons,    that    with    five    thousand   regular 
troops,  he  could  inarch  from  one  end  of  the  coii' 
tiuent  to  the  other,  unmolested.     Gage  repeated 
the  foolish  boast  to  Putnam,  who  instantly  replied, 
"  So  you  might,  if  they  behaved  themselves,  and 
paid  for  what  they  got;   if  not,  the  women  would 
knock    your    soldiers     in     the     head   with    their 
ladles.'1 

'"  Colonel  Grant  was  a  meritorious  officer  in  the 
French  arid  Indian  War,  and  was  the  successful 
leader  of  an  expedition  against  the  Cherokees  in 
1761.  He  was  a  brigadier  at  the  commencement  of 
the  Revolution,  and  kd  the  division  of  the  British 
army  in  the  battle  near  Brooklyn,  at  the  close  of  the 
summer  of  1770,  which  first  engaged  the  Americans 
under  Lord  Stirling.  Grant  made  assertions  simi- 


NOTES.  223 

lar  to  those  of  Amherst,  and  added  that  nothing 
would  exceed  the  speed  of  the  Americans  in  their 
flight  before  an  enemy.  On  several  occasions 
during  the  Revolution,  General  Grant  was  com 
pelled  to  run  swiftly  before  the  "  rebels  "  he  af 
fected  so  much  to  despise,  but  never  after  them. 
At  this  he  seems  to  have  been  very  expert,  and 

"  Well  skilled  on  runnings  to  decide." 

9 

17  It  is  asserted  that  the  roar  of  a  lion  will  turn 
small  beer  sour.  The  lion  is  the  emblem  of  Great 
Britain's  courage  and  strength,  and  is  the  principal 
figure  on  the  national  escutcheon.  It  was  origi 
nally  a  leopard,  according  to  a  record  of  the  year 
1252. 

13  Such  declarations  were  continually  made  by 
North  and  his  cabinet.  They  asserted  the  right 
of  Parliament  to  tax  the  colonies,  and  declared  the 
necessity  of  such  a  tax  for  the  purposes  of  reve 
nue. 

19  In  the  debate  on  the  Boston  Port  Bill,  in  the 
spring  of  1774,  Mr.  Van,  a  ministerial  member  of 
Parliament,  used  very  violent  language  toward 
the  people  of  Boston.  "  They  ought  to  have  their 
town  knocked  about  their  ears,  and  destroyed," 
he  said,  because  of  their  destruction  of  the  car 
goes  of  tea  in  that  harbor,  a  few  months  before  ; 
and  concluded  his  tirade  of  abuse  by  quoting  the 
words  of  Cato  the  Censor,  concerning  Carthage, 


224.  NOT  E  s . 

Delenda   est   Carthago — Carthage  must  be   des 
troyed. 

20  It  cannot  be  doubted  that  among  the  measures 
for  crushing  the  rising  rebellion  in  America, 
adopted  by  the  British  ministry  early  in  1774, 
was  that  of  exciting  the  Indians  on  the  frontiers 
of  the  white  settlements  against  their  neighbors. 
In  this  work,  a  little  later,  the  sons  of  Sir  Wil 
liam  Johnson,  in  the  Mohawk  Valley,  were 
engaged.  Stuart,  in  the  Carolines,  was  busy 
among  the  Creeks  and  other  frontier  tribes;  and 
the  Governors  of  some  of  the  provinces  had, 
doubtless,  secret  instructions  on  this  point.  Gov 
ernor  Gage  and  Governor  Dumnore,  of.  Virginia, 
were  known  to  be  employed  in  this  nefarious 
business  in  1775.  In  the  autumn  of  that  year, 
Dr.  Connolly,  of  Pittsburg,  visited  General  Gage, 
at  Boston,  and  soon  afterward,  while  on  his  way 
toward  the  Ohio  country,  through  Maryland,  he 
was  arrested  as  a  suspicious  character.  Concealed 
in  his  saddle  were  papers,  which  revealed  the  fact 
that  he  was  commissioned  to  arouse  and  lead 
the  Indians  against  the  people  of  Virginia.  Gov 
ernor  Carleton,  of  Canada,  was  also  engaged  in 
the  same  business ;  anQ  the  effect  of  the  agency  of 
secret  emissaries  among  the  savages,  was  seen  as 
the  war  progressed,  in  the  terrible  massacres  every 
where  committed  by  the  Indians,  under  the  pro 
tecting  wing  of  British  power.  The  horrid  prac 
tice  of  employing  the  Indians  was  severely  com- 


NOTES.  225 

merited  upon  in  the  British  Parliament.  A  mem 
ber  attempted  to  justify  the  measure  by  saying, 
that  they  had  a  right  to  employ  the  means  "  which 
God  and  nature  had  put  into  their  hands."  The 
great  Pitt  scornfully  repeated  these  words,  and 
said,  "  These  abominable  principles,  and  this  most 
abominable  avowal  of  them,  demands  most  deci 
sive  indignation.  I  call  upon  that  right  reverend 
bench  (pointing  to  the  Bishops),  those  holy  minis 
ters  of  the  G*spel  and  pious  pastors  of  the  Church, 
I  conjure  them  to  join  in  the  holy  work,  and  to 
vindicate  the  religion  of  their  God."  Bat  "  those 
holy  ministers"  had  no  word  of  condemnation.  In 
the  Declaration  of  Independence  the  King  was 
charged  with  endeavors  "  to  bring  on  the  inhabi 
tants  of  our  frontiers  the  merciless  Indian  sava 
ges,"  and  the  proofs  of  the  truth  of  that  charge 
were  many  and  undeniable. 

-1  Guy  Carleton  (afterward  Lord  Dorchester), 
was  Governor  of  Canada  from  1772  to  1781,  when 
he  succeeded  Sir  Henry  Clinton  as  Commander- 
in-Chief  of  the  British  army  in  America.  He 
was  made  Governor  of  Quebec,  Nova  Scotia,  and 
New  Brunswick  in  1786.  As  a  reward  for  long 
services  he  was  raised  to  the  peerage.  He  died  in 
1808,  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years.  It  is  due  to 
his  memory  to  say,  that  he  doubtless  was  opposed 
to  the  employment  of  the  savages  against  the 
Americans.  He  was  a  very  humane  man,  as  his 

kindness  to  American  prisoners  often  proved. 
0* 


226  NOTES. 

Guy  Johnson  was  a  son  of  Sir  William  John 
son,  by  a  sister  of  Brant,  the  great  Mohawk 
Chief.  He  had  great  influence  over  the  Iroquois, 
and  in  1775  he,  in  connection  with  the  Butlers  and 
Brant,  held  a  large  council  of  Indians,  composed 
chiefly  of  Cayugas  and  Senecas.  After  the  war 
he  was  an  Indian  agent  in  Canada. 

y2  Guy,  Earl  of  Warwick,  was  called  the  King 
maker.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Baruet  in 
April,  1471.  He  is  very  celebrated  in  the  martial 
annals  of  Great  Britain. 

53  The  Dun  cow  is  celebrated  in  tradition  as  a 
fierce  animal  that  roamed  over  a  heath,  and  had 
killed  many  people.  She  was  twelve  feet  in  height 
from  hoof  to  shoulder,  and  eighteen  feet  in  length 
from  the  neck  to  the  root  of  the  tail.  The  young 
and  fiery  Guy  undertook  to  kill  the  beast,  in  order 
to  win  a  mistress.  He  did  so,  and  the  heath  still 
bears  the  name  of  Dunsmore.  This  is  supposed 
to  be  a  myth,  and  that  the  cow  was  a  Countess, 
who  led  a  disreputable  life,  and  ruined  many  young 
lords  by  winning  their  estates  from  them  at  card- 
playing.  Guy  beat  her  at  the  game,  and  so  the 
destroyer  was  conquered. 

•*  Among  the  threats  of  royal  Governors  in  the 
slave-holding  provinces,  was  that  of  giving  these 
bond-servants  their  freedom,  and  letting  them 
loose,  like  bloodhounds,  upon  their  masters.  And 
this  was  no  idle  threat.  Nothing  but  the  general 
attachment  of  the  slaves  to  their  masters  prevented 


NOTES.  227 

the  perpetration  of  the  most  frightful  massacres. 
When,  in  June,  1775,  Lord  Dunmore,  the  Governor 
of  Virginia,  fled  for  safety  to  a  British  man-of-war, 
his  first  vindictive  and  retaliatory  efforts  were  to  call 
the  slaves  to  his  standard,  under  a  promise  of  free 
dom.  Many  obeyed  the  call,  and  were  in  the  bat 
tle  at  the  Great  Bridge,  twelve  miles  from  Nor 
folk,  in  December  following.  Hundreds  of  them 
afterwards  miserably  perished.  The  same  thing 
was  attempted,  by  authority,  in  the  Carolinus  ;  and 
in  Boston  a  company  of  negroes  was  formed  and 
regularly  enrolled.  Yet  the  negroes  were  not  all 
"  loyal,"  for  we  find  that,  on  one  occasion,  when 
they  had  been  ordered  to  assemble  in  Faneuil  Hall, 
to  choose  from  among  their  number  proper  per 
sons  to  clean  the  streets,  Caesar  Merrian,  in  the 
presence  of  Joshua  Levering,  moderator,  dared  to 
oppose  the  measure,  for  which  he  "  was  committed 
to  prison,  and  confined  until  the  streets  were  all 
cleaned."  The  Declaration  of  Independence  says, 
"  He  has  excited  domestic  insurrection  among  us," 
and  these  facts  are  the  proofs. 

56  This  was  a  specimen  of  M'Fingal's  "  second 
eight,"  for  there  was,  as  yet,  no  Bishop  in  America 

•6  The  negroes  who  enlisted  in  the  army  in  Bos 
ton  Avere  chiefly  slaves  of  the  whigs  who  had  left 
the  town.  They  were  dressed  in  the  scarlet  uni 
form  of  the  British  army,  a  color  particularly 
adapted  to  win  the  black  man,  who  is  fond  of  show 


228  NOTES. 

81  "  The  stones  and  all  the  elements  with  thee 
Shall  ratify  a  strict  confed'racy  ; 
Wild  beasts  their  savage  temper  shall  forget, 
And  for  a  firm  alliance  with  thee  treat." 

Blackmore^  Paraphrase  of  Job. 

28  These  were  the   materials  employed  against 
the  Americans  by  the  British  ministry  previous  to 
the   sending  over  German  troops,   mentioned   in 
Note  15,  Canto  I. 

29  When  Gage  proceeded  to  Boston  to  enforce 
the  Bort  Bill,  he  ordered  two  additional  regiments 
to  march  there.     They  entered  Boston  with  great 
display,  and  encamped  on  the  Common,  or  Mall. 
Other  troops  soon  joined  them,  and  as  the  people 
refused  to  give  them  shelter,  they  all  remained  en 
camped  on  the   Common  during  the  summer  of 
1774.     The  contending  political  parties  wrote  and 
published  much.     Massacliusettensis   (See    Note 
75,  Canto  I.)  began  his  essays,  and  John  Adams 
soon  answered  them.     Gage  sent  out  proclamation 
after  proclamation,  and  the  patriots  met  him  with 
"  squib  for  squib"  at  every  turn.     His  proclama 
tions  were  very  bombastic,  and   were  much  ridi 
culed.       They    were   sometimes    paraphrased    in 
rhyme.     The  following  is  a  specimen  of  one  of 
these : 

"  Tom  Gage's  proclamation, 
Or  blustering  denunciation, 
(Replete  with  defamation,) 
Threatening  devastation 


NOTES.  229 

And  speedy  jugulation, 

Of  the  Xe\v  English  nation, 

Who  shall  his  pious  ways-shim." 

This  was  the  commencement.  Then  followed  a 
paraphrase,  and  the  whole  ended  with, 

"  Thus  graciously  the  war  I  wage, 
As  witnesseth  my  hand, 

TOM  GAGE 
By  command  of  Mother  Carey, 

THOMAS  FLUCKER,  Secretary. 

Flucker  was  the  Secretary  of  Massachusetts  un 
der  Gage.  He  was  the  father  of  Lucy,  the  wife 
of  General  Henry  Kuox,  the  Commander-in-Chief 
of  the  artillery  of  the  Continental  army. 

30  Gage's  fears  made  him  more  of  a  tyrant  than 
he  wished  to  be.     Alarmed  by  hostile  demonstra 
tions  on  all  sides,  he  first  stationed  a  strong  guard 
upon  Boston  Neck,  which  connected  the  peninsula 
with  the  main,  at  Roxbury,  with  the  avowed  shal 
low  pretence  that  he  wished  to  prevent  desertions 
from  his  ranks.     He  next  commenced  erecting  a 
line   of  fortifications   across   the    Neck.     Boston 
carpenters  could  not  be  hired  to  do  the  work,  and 
mechanics  from  New  York  were  employed  for  the 
purpose.     These  things  greatly  irritated  the  peo 
ple,  because  they  were  proofs  of  the  manifest  inten 
tion  of  Government  to  coerce  them  into  submission 
to  unjust  laws. 

31  Matthew,  xvii.  27. 

82  Numbers,  Chapter  xii. 


230  NOTES. 

83  When  Rome  was  invested  by  the  Gauls,  al 
most  four  hundred  years  before  the  birth  of  Christ, 
a  noble  band  of  citizens  and  soliliers  shut  them 
selves  up  in  the  Capitol.  One  night  the  Gauls 
climbed  up  the  steep  rocks  of  the  Capitoline  Hill, 
and  were  about  to  kill  the  sentinels  and  capture 
the  garrison,  when  some  geese,  being  awakened  by 
the  noise,  cackled  so  loudly  that  they  aroused  the 
soldiers  in  time  to  save  the  Capitol,  and  perhaps 
the  Roman  Empire. 

34  See  an  account  of  Bishop  Atterbury's  trial, 
in  the  Histories  of  England.     Francis  Atterbury 
was  Bishop  of  Rochester  and  Dean  of  Westminster. 
He  favored  the  Stuarts,  and   being  suspected  of 
being  in  league  with   the   old  Pretender,  son  of 
James  the  Second,  he  was  sent  to  the  Tower  on  a 
charge  of  treason,  i;i  17:22.     lie  was  banished  the 
following  year,  and  died  at  Paris  in  1732. 

35  Exodus,  Chapter  viii. 

86  A  noodle  meant  simpleton.  This  term  was 
much  in  use  formerly. 

37  The  exact  origin  of  Yankee  Doodle,  our  na 
tional  aii1,  is  not  positively  known.  There  was  a 
popular  song  adapted  to  tho  old  air  of  Nancy  Daw- 
son,  composed  and  sung  in  derision  of  Cromwell 
by  the  Cavaliers  and  other  loyalists,  which  com 
menced  thus  : 

"  Nankcy  Doodle  came  to  town, 

Riding  on  a  pony, 
With  a  feather  in  his  hat 
Upon  a  macaroni." 


NOTES.  231 

A  "  doodle  "  is  defined  in  the  old  English  diction 
aries,  as  "  a  sorry,  trifling  fellow,"  and  the  term 
was  thus  applied  to  Cromwell.  A  "  macaroni  " 
was  a  knot  on  the  hat,  on  which  a  feather  was 
fastened.  In  a  satirical  poem  accompanying  a 
caricature  of  William  Pitt,  published  in  1766,  in 
which  he  appears  on  stilts,  the  following  stanza 
occurs : 

"  Stamp  act !  le  diable !  dat  is  de  job,  sir ; 
Dat  is  in  de  stiltman's  nob,  sir, 
To  be  America's  nabob,  sir. 
Doodle,  noodle,  do." 

The  air  of  Yankee  Doodle  was  known  in  New 
England,  long  before  the  Revolution,  as  "  Lydia 
Fisher's  Jig;"  and  in  1755,  a  surgeon  in  the 
British  army  at  Albany,  composed  a  song  to  that 
air,  in  derision  of  the  uncouth  appearance  of  the 
New  England  troops  then  assembled  there.  He 
called  it  "  Yankee  Doodle."  The  air  was  popular 
as  martial  music  ;  and  we  find  on  record  that 
when,  in  1768,  British  troops  arrived  in  ships  in 
Boston  harbor,  "  the  Yankee  Doodle  tune  was  the 
capital  piece  in  the  band  of  music  at  Castle  Wil 
liam."  The  change  in  spelling  the  first  word  from 
Yaukey  to  Yankee,  did  not  occur  until  after  the 
Revolution.  While  the  army  under  Washington 
was  at  Cambridge,  in  1775,  some  loyal  poet  wrote 
a  long  string  of  doggerel  verse,  in  derision  of  the 
New  England  people,  and  troops,  commencing : 


232  NOTES. 

"Father  and  I  went  down  to  camp, 

Along  with  Captain  Goodwin, 
There  we  see  the  men  and  boys 
As  thick  as  hasty-jDW<M«'." 

Sec  Note  1,  Canto  I. 

38  The  people  in  Boston,  and  the  army  there, 
after  Gage's  arrival,  held  toward  each  other  the 
most  bitter  animosity,  and  that  was  often  inflamed 
by  the  wicked  or  injudicious  conduct  of  subordi 
nate  officers.  Among  sinners  of  this  kind,  was 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Nesbitt,  who,  at  the  beginning 
of  1775,  took  great  pains  to  i  isult  and  injure  the 
Americans.  The  country  people  sometimes  came 
into  town,  to  buy  muskets  for  hunting.  On  one 
occasion  Nesbitt  instructed  a  soldier  to  sell  one  of 
them  an  old  rusty  musket.  The  purchaser  was 
an  inoffensive  man,  who  sold  vegetables,  and  paid 
the  soldier  three  dollars  for  the  gun.  He  was  al 
most  immediately  seized  under  a  false  charge  of 
carrying  arms  for  a  treasonable  purpose,  and 
thrown  into  the  guard-house.  Early  the  next 
morning  punishment  was  adjudged,  and  he  was 
stripped  naked,  furnished  with  a  covering  of  tar 
and  feathers,  placed  upon  a  cart,  paraded  the 
length  of  the  city  and  back,  and  was  taken  to 
Liberty  Tree.  This  brave  act  was  performed  by 
about  thirty  grenadiers  of  the  47th  regiment,  with 
fixed  bayonets,  and  twenty  drums  and  fifes  playing 
the  Rogue's  March.  The  procession  was  headed 
by  Nesbitt  with  a  drawn  sword.  The  indignant 


NOTES.  233 

people  flocked  to  Liberty  Tree,  when  the  alarmed 
soldiers  fled  to  their  barracks,  and  the  poor  man 
was  rescued. 

The  origin  of  the  punishment  by  tar  and  feathers, 
has  been  fixed  at  the  period  of  the  llevolution,  by 
most  writers.  According  to  the  Pictorial  History 
of  England,  vol.  i.  page  487,  quoted  in  Duyck- 
inck's  Cyclopedia  of  American  Literature,  the 
"  plumeopicean  robe  "  is  as  old  as  the  crusaders. 
Richard  Coeur  de  Lion  made  the  regulation  that 
"  A  man  convicted  of  thoft  or  '  pickerie,'  was  to 
have  his  head  shaved,  and  hot  pitch  poured  upon  his 
bare  pate,  and  over  the  pitch  the  feathers  of  some 
pillow  or  cushion  were  to  be  shaken,  as  a  mark 
whereby  he  might  be  known  as  a  thief." 

39  Caligula  was  the  most  detested  of  the  Roman 
Emperors,  because  of  his  ferocious  and  dissipated 
character.     In  the   year  of  our  Lord   16,  he  led 
an  army  to  the  shores  of  Gaul,  for  the  purpose  of 
invading   Britain,  but  he  did  not  embark.     He 
there  ordered  a  charge  to  be  sounded,  and  a  signal 
to  be  made  for  engaging  an  enemy.    But  no  enemy 
of  course,  appeared.     His   soldiers  were   then  di 
rected  to  gather  cockle-shells,  to  be  sent  to  Rome 
as  "  spoils  of  the  ocean,"  and  these   adorned   the 
ridiculous  triumph  which  a  corrupt  senate  decreed 
for  him. 

40  After  a  siege  of  ten  years,  ancient  Troy  was 
taken  by  the  Greeks,  through  strategy.     Finding 
they  could   not  gain  a  forcible  entrance  into   the 


234  NOTES. 

city,  they  constructed  an  enormous  wooden  horse, 
introduced  many  armed  men  into  its  body,  and 
then  made  a  pretended  retreat  toward  the  sea 
shore,  leaving  the  colossal  beast  near  the  walls. 
Sinon,  one  of  the  Greek  warriors,  went  to  Troy 
with  his  hands  bound  behind  him,  and  solemnly 
assured  the  Trojans  of  the  absolute  abandonment 
of  the  siege  by  the  Greeks.  He  then  advised 
them  to  convey  the  great  horse  into  the  city,  as  a 
trophy.  It  was  done,  and  during  that  night, 
Sinon  opened  the  secret  door  in  the  side  of  the 
horse,  and  let  out  the  armed  Greeks.  They  sur 
prised  the  Trojans,  pillaged  the  city,  and  Troy 
fell! 

41  Colonel  Leslie  was  one  of  the  most  useful  of 
the  British  officers  wrho  came  to  America  to  "  crush 
the  rebellion."  He  arose  to  the  rank  of  brigadier, 
whilst  here,  and  was  the  last  commander-in-chief 
of  the  British  army  at  Charleston.  His  sei vices 
at  the  south,  under  Coruwallis,  were  very  highly 
commended,  and  he  was  generally  esteemed  by 
the  Americans  as  a  judicious,  honorable,  and  hu 
mane  commander. 

4i  Marblehead  was  originally  a  part  of  Salem, 
and  is  about  sixteen  miles  from  Boston.  It  Mas 
remarkable  for  its  fishermen  at  the  time  of  the 
Revolution.  Colonel  Glover  of  the  Continental 
Army,  was  from  that  town,  and  he  employed 
many  seamen  from  that  place  in  conveying  the 
Americans  across  the  East  river  in  the  retreat  of 


NOTES.  235 

the  army  from  Brooklyn  to  New  York  in  Septem 
ber,  1776.  They  also  transported  American  stores 
in  boats,  from  New  York  to  Dobbs'  Ferry. 

43  See   Homer's  description  of  the  battle  of  tho 
frogs  and  mice. 

44  On    Sunday,  the  26th  of  February,   1775, 
Colonel  Leslie,  with  about   three   hundred  men, 
was  sent  by  Gage  to  seize  some  brass  cannons  and 
gun-carriages  in  .possession  of  the  Americans  at 
Salem.     They  proceeded  very  secretly  in  a  trans 
port,  which  was  moored  at  Marblehead  before  any 
of    the    soldiers   appeared.      They    then    rushed 
ashore,  and  commenced  their  march  through  the 
town.     The   people  were  engaged   in  public  wor 
ship.     Leslie's  intentions  being  suspected,  intelli 
gence  was  immediately  sent  to   Colonel  Timothy 
Pickering,  who  called  out  the  minute-men,  and  at 
an  opened  drawbridge  near  Salem,  he  confronted  the 
British.     A  parley  ensued,  and  Leslie  agreed  that 
if  the  people  would  close  the  bridge,  and  let  him 
pass  over  in  due  form  of  invasion,  he  would  immedi 
ately  return.  The  terms  of  the  treaty  were  complied 
with,    and  Leslie,  like   a  sensible  man,  returned 
to  Boston.     Had  he  possessed  the  folly  of  some  of 
the  British  officers,  he  would  have  given  to  Salem 
the  honor  which  now  belongs   to    Lexington,  of 
having  been  the  scene  of  the  first  bloodshed  in  the 
Revolution.     As  it  was,  the  news  went  to  Eng 
land  that  in  Salem  "  the  Americans  had  hoisted 
the  standard  of  liberty." 


tT,6  NOTES. 

45  Concord  is  a  few  miles  from  Lexington.    There 
the  stores  were  concealed,  which  Gage  sought  to 
capture  or  destroy,  when  he  sent  out  the  detach 
ment  that  was  checked  by  the  minute-men  at  Lex 
ington. 

46  General  Gage,  in  his  letter  to  Governor  Trum- 
bull  concerning  the  affair  at  Lexington  and  Con 
cord,  pretended  that  his  object   in  attempting  to 
seize  the  stores  and  munitions  of  war  at  the  latter 
place,  was  "  to  prevent  civil  war,"  by  taking  dan 
gerous  weapons  out  of  the  hands  of  the  people  ! 

47  The  important  question  after  blood  had  flowed 
was,  Which  party  began  the  war  ?     A  great  many 
depositions  were  taken,  and  it  was  fully  proven 
that  the   British  troops  first  fired  on  the  minute- 
men  at  Lexington,  and  killed  several.     The  fire 
was  promptly  returned,  however,  in   self-defence. 
In  reference  to  this  question,  a  writer  in  Ander 
son's   Constitutional  Gazette,  published  in  New 
York  in  1775,  thus  states  the  matter : 

"  The  Quarrel  with  America  fairly  stated. 

"Rudely  forced  to  drink  tea,  Massachusetts  in  anger 
Spills  the  tea  on  John  Bull — John  falls  on  to  bang  her  ; 
Massachusetts,  enraged,  calls  her  neighbors  to  aid, 
And  give  Master  John  a  severe  bastinade. 
Now,  good  men  of  the  law  !  pray,  who  is  in  fault, 
The  one  who  began,  or  resents  the  assault  ?  " 

4S  In  former  wars  in  America,  the  term  R  yular 
was  applied  to  the  British  troops  which  came  fron; 


NOTES.  237 

England,  to  distinguish  them  from  the  provincials, 
or  new  levies  in  America. 

49  This  refers  to  the  distance  the  British  had  to 
retreat  after  the  affair  at  Lexington. 

60  In  his  account  of  the  skirmishes,  General  Gage 
was  pleased  to  say,  "  Too  much  praise  cannot  be 
given  to  Lord  Percy  for  his  remarkable  activity 
throughout  the  whole  day." 

61  This  is  explained  in  Note  3,  Canto  I. 

6-'  Gage  endeavored  to  make  light  of  the  fact 
that  he  was  so  hemmed  in  by  the  Americans,  who 
had  gathered  by  thousands  around  Boston ;  and 
in  his  last  proclamation,  issued  before  the  battle 
on  Breed's  Hill,  he  said,  "  With  a  preposterous 
parade  of  military  arrangements,  they  affect  to 
hold  the  army  besieged." 

'3  The  Mystic  river  is  on  the  northeast  side  of 
the  Peninsula  of  Charlestown,  on  which  are  Bun 
ker's  and  Breed's  hills. 

51  In  a  late  edition,  the  two  following  lines  were 
added  after  the  third  line  above  this  reference 
number : 

"  Nay,  stern  with  rage,  grins  Putnam,  boiling, 
Plunder'd  both  Ilogg  and  Noddle  Island." 

These  were  two  islands  in  Boston  Harbor,  from 
which  the  Americans  carried  off  all  the  cattle, 
sheep  and  swine,  to  prevent  their  falling  into  the 
hands  of  the  British.  Gage  really  had  no  alter 
native  but  to  flee,  or  be  driven 

"  headlong  to  the  sea." 


238  NOTES. 

Howe,  -who  succeeded  him  in  command,  was  re 
duced  to  the  same  alternative,  and  in  March,  1776, 
he  fled  in  his  ships  to  Halifax,  and  the  Americans, 
after  a  siege  of  several  mouths,  took  possession  of 
Boston.  The  British  had  been  completely  hemmed 
In  upon  the  Boston  peninsula  frora  the  19th  of 
April,  1775,  until  the  17th  of  March,  1776. 
Whenever  they  attempted  to  penetrate  the  country, 
or  take  possession  of  any  of  the  islands  in  the  har 
bor,  they  were  met  with  determined  resistance. 

65  Matthew  viii.,  32. 

56  The  British  man-of-war,  Cerberus,  arrived  at 
Boston  on  the  25th  of  May,  1775,  with  Generals 
Howe,  Clinton,  and  Burgoyne,  three  officers  expe 
rienced  in  the  military  tactics  of  Europe,  but  unfit, 
in  many  respects,  to  conduct  the  war  then  just 
commenced.  General  William  Howe  was  com 
missioned  commander-in-chief,  in  place  of  General 
Gage,  who  was  recalled  and  went  to  England  soon 
afterward. 

67  Popular  belief  ascribed  very  evil  effects  to 
comets,  and  they  were  generally  regarded  as  omens 
of  calamity. 

53  Abijah  White  was  a  member  of  the  Massachu 
setts  House  of  Representatives,  from  Marshfield, 
and  a  warm  adherent  of  the  crown.  He  possessed 
very  little  judgment  or  discretion,  and  made  him 
self  very  ridiculous  by  the  way  in  which  he  mani 
fested  his  zeal.  When  the  loyalists  of  Marshfield, 
in  public  meeting,  adopted  resolutions  which  ecu- 


NOTES.  239 

sured  the  people  of  Boston  for  destroying  the  tea, 
he  was  employed  to  carry  them  to  that  city,  and 
lay  them  before  the  governor.  Pretending  a  fear 
of  being  robbed  of  them  by  the  way,  he  armed 
himself  with  gun,  pistol  and  cutlass,  and,  mounting 
his  horse,  appeared  like  another  Hudibras.  On 
arriviug  at  Boston,  he  caused  the  momentous  docu 
ment  to  be  published.  This  act  drew  upon  him 
some  of  the  wrath,  but  more  of  the  ridicule  of  the 
whigs,  and  he  disappeared  from  public  life  forever. 

5J  It  is  related  as  a  fact,  that  some  British  offi 
cers,  soon  after  Gage's  arrival  in  Boston,  while 
walking  on  Beacon  hill  one  night,  were  much 
alarmed  by  noises  in  the  air  resembling  the  whiz 
zing  of  bullets.  They  supposed  they  were  missiles 
from  noiseless  air-guns,  in  the  hands  of  the 
"  rebels,"  and  they  fled  precipitately  to  their  quar 
ters.  They  gave  terrible  accounts  of  this  "  nefa 
rious  business  "  in  their  letters  to  friends  at  home. 
The  supposed  bullets  were  the  common  beetles, 
with  which  we  are  all  made  familiar  in  the  warm 
summer  evenings. 

60  British  officials,  from  ministers  of  state  down 
to  subalterns  of  lowest  grade,  were  fond  of  threat 
ening  the  Whigs  with  the  pillory,  whipping-post 
and  gibbet.  During  the  war,  a  son  of  Richard 
Henry  Lee,  of  Virginia,  was  at  school  at  St.  Bees, 
in  England.  A  gentleman  one  day  asked  the 
tutor,  "  What  boy  is  this  ?  "  "A  son  of  Richard 
Henry  Lee,  of  America,"  he  replied.  The  gentle- 


240  NOTES. 

man  put  his  hand  on  the  boy's  head  and  remarked, 
"  We  shall  yet  see  your  father's  head  upon  Tower 
Hill."  The  boy  promptly  replied,  "  You  may 
have  it  when  you  can  get  it."  That  boy  was  the 
late  Ludwell  Lee,  Esq.,  of  Virginia. 

61  Called  also  "  Heave-offering."  Grain  and 
fruit  were  waved  or  heaved  toward  the  four  cardi 
nal  points.  It  was  a  special  present  to  the  priests. 
See  Numbers,  chapter  xviii. 

6'2  Cropping  off  portions  of  the  ears,  tying  men 
to  posts  and  whipping  them,  and  confining  them  in 
a  standing  position  in  wooden  frames  called  pillo 
ries,  were  barbarous  modes  of  punishment,  for  light 
offences,  at  that  time. 

B:i  Bunyan,  in  his  Pilgrim's  Progress,  represents 
Christian  as  setting  forth  upon  his  journey  with  a 
very  heavy  bundle  of  all  his  sins,  original  and  ac 
tual,  upon  his  back. 

64  See  Note  38,  Canto  II.  The  uniform  alluded 
to  was  that  of  tar  and  feathers.  The  want  of 
uniform  dress  in  the  American  Army  was  a  con 
stant  theme  of  ridicule  with  the  British  at  the  be 
ginning  of  the  war.  Mr.  Kidder,  in  his  history 
of  New  Ipswich,  gives,  from  the  lips  of  an  old 
soldier,  a  graphic  description  of  his  company  when 
it  joined  the  army  of  Gates  a  little  while  before  the 
capture  of  Burgoyne.  They  all  wore  small  clothes, 
and  "  not  a  pair  of  boots  graced  the  company." 
Their  coats  and  waistcoats  were  as  various  in 
colors  "  as  the  barks  of  oak,  sumach,  aud  other 


NOTES.  241 

trees  of  our  lulls  and  swamps  could  make  them.'1 
Their  arms  were  as  various  as  their  costume  ;  one 
had  a  heavy  "  Queen  Anne"  musket,  that  had 
'  done  service"  in  the  conquest  of  Canada,  and  by 
his  side  would  be  a  boy,  Carrying  a  little  Spanish 
fuzee,  captured,  perhaps,  at  Havana.  They  all 
used  powder-horns  instead  of  cartridge-boxes,  and 
occasionally  a  bayonet  might  be  seen.  A  country 
blacksmith  made  the  swords  of  many  of  the  offi 
cers,  and  in  every  particular  they  were  as  uncouth 
as  could  well  be  imagined. 

65  The  ships  that  "  ravaged  our  coasts  "  were  not 
so  benign  as  those  of  whom  Waller  sung  : 

"  Where'er  our  navy  spreads  her  canvass  wings, 
Honor  to  thee  and  peace  to  all  she  brings." 

66  Phodbus  was  another  name  for  Apollo,  or  the 
Sun. 

61  While  the  British  occupied  Boston,  they  sent 
out  military  detachments  to  the  neighboring  islands 
to  seize  sheep  and  cattle  Many  skirmishes  with  the 
Americans  ensued  on  these  occasions.  And  while 
the  army  occupied  New  York,  these  expeditions 
were  very  common,  and  sometimes  resulted  in  con 
siderable  bloodshed.  The  Americans,  also,  had 
frequent  occasions  to  send  out  foraging  parties  dur 
ing  the  war.  It  was  one  of  these  occasions  in 
which  General  Wayne  was  concerned,  in  New  Jer 
sey,  opposite  New  York,  that  gave  a  theme  to  Ma 
jor  Andre  when  he  wrote  the  famous  poem  called 


242  NOTES. 

"  The  Cow  Chase."  It  was  during  a  foraging  ex 
pedition  of  the  British  from  Charleston,  up  the 
Combahee  river,  in  South  Carolina,  that  the  last 
battle  of  the  Revolution  was  fought,  in  which  Col. 
John  Laurens  was  killed. 

68  Charlestown  was  burned  during  the  battle  on 
Breed's    Hill,  June   17 tli,  1775.     Fahnouth  (now 
Portland,  in  Maine)  was  soon  afterward  destroyed 
by  fire ;  and   on  the  first  of  January,  1770,  Nor 
folk,  in  Virginia,  was  also  consumed,  by  order  of 
Lord  Dunmore.      Later  in  the  war,  Daubury,  Fair- 
field,  and  Norwalk  were  laid  in  ashes,  and  attempts 
were  made  to  destroy  other  places.     At  Fail-field, 
the  brutal  Hessians,  to  whom  Tryon  gave  full  lib 
erty  to  ravage  and  destroy,  excited  by  strong  drink, 
cruelly    treated    the    women   who  fell    into    their 
hands,  and  whole  families  were   driven  into  the 
swamps   for   shelter   against   their  infernal  lusts. 
Elsewhere,  at   the    North  and   at  the   South,  this 
kind  of  cruel  warfare  was  frequently  carried  on 
by  British  hirelings,  assisted  by  the  Tories,  who 
were  justly  more   hated  by  the  people  than  the 
Royal  troops,  or  their  German  fellow  mercenaries. 

69  Admiral  Graves  first  appears  in  the  drama  of 
the  Revolution,  as  Commander  of  the  British  fleet 
at  Boston,  in  1775.     He  last  appeared  in  the  con 
test  in  a  sea-fight   off  the  Capes  of    Virginia,   a 
short  time  before  the  surrender  of  Coruwallis,  in 
1781,   which  was  the  concluding  great  military 
event  of  the  war. 


NOTES.  243 

70  Sir  James  Wallace,  a  fussy,  blustering,  naval 
commander,  had  charge  of  a  little  fleet  of  small 
vessels,  in   Narraganset  Bay,  to  watch  the  move 
ments  of  the   Americans,  plunder  Rhode  Island 
of  sheep  and  cattle  for  the  benefit  of  the  British 
army  in  Boston,  and  to  annoy  the  Americans  gen 
erally.     And  he  did  annoy  the  people  very  much, 
and  sometimes  distressed  them  very  much.    When 
he   first  sailed  into  the  harbor  of    Newport,  he 
dispatched  a  letter,  in  the  following  words,  to  Cap 
tain  Abraham  Whipple,  of  Providence,   who,   in 
1772,  commanded  an  expedition  which  burned  the 
Gaspe  schooner,  in  Narraganset  Bay  : 

"  You,  Abraham  Whipple,  on  the  17th  of  June, 
1772,  burned  His  Majesty's  vessel,  the  Gaspe,  and 
I  will  hang  you  at  the  yard-arm. 

JAMES  WALLACE." 

Whipple  immediately  replied : 
"  To  Sir  James  Wallace: 

SIR  :  Always  catch  a  man  before  you  hang  him. 
ABRAHAM  WHIPVLE." 

Wallace  was  driven  out  of  Narraganset  Bay  iu 
the  spring  of  1776,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1777,  he 
went  up  the  Hudson  river  and  assisted  in  burning 
Kingston. 

71  The  Sandemanians  were  a  small  religious  sect, 
so  named  because   Robert  .Sandeman,  a  native  of 
Perth,  Scotland,  was  the  founder.     Their  leading 
tenet  of  belief  was  that  ''  Faith  is  a  mere  intellec 
tual  belief,  a  bare  belief  of  the  bare  truth."     They 


244  NOTES. 

also  believed  the  Millennium  near,  and  fixed  upon 
the  year  1793  as  the  time  for  its  dawning.  San- 
deman  came  to  America  in  1764,  and  organized  a 
church  or  society  in  Boston,  and  also  in  Danbury, 
Connecticut.  He  died  and  was  buried  at  the  lat 
ter  place,  in  1771,  at  the  age  of  53  years.  Hia 
remains  rest  a  few  feet  from  those  of  General  Da 
vid  Wooster. 

72  The  unjust  system  of  depriving  whole  fami 
lies  of  property  because  of  the  political  sins  of 
the  fathers,  was  commenced  against  the  adherents 
of  the  Crown,  first  in  Massachusetts  in  1778,  when 
a  vast  amount  of  property  belonging  to  refugees 
who  had  fled,  and  some  who  ventured  to  remain, 
was  confiscated.  In  1779 'the  Massachusetts  Le 
gislature  passed  a  conspiracy  act,  which  sent  into 
perpetual  banishment  a  large  portion  of  the  same 
persons. 

7;!  The  Tory  party  in  New  England  worked  upon 
the  fears  of  the  credulous  and  superstitious,  by  re 
lating  wonderful  stories  of  strange  appearances  in 
the  heavens,  and  strange  noises  in  the  air  and  un 
der  ground,  and  called  them  warnings  of  great 
troubles,  if  the  Whigs  persisted  in  their  iniqui 
tous  proceedings.  A  remarkable  meteor  and 
Aurora  Boiealis  were  observed  at  the  commence 
ment  of  the  war,  and  the  superstitious  were  greatly 
alarmed. 

74  "  The  stars  in  their  courses  fought  against 
Sisera."  Song  of  Deborah,  Judges  v.  29. 


NOTES.  245 

75  A  play  upon  the  name  of  Lord  North,  the 
Prime  Minister. 

76  Referring  to  a  scheme  proposed  by  Hutchin- 
son  and  Oliver,  in  their  letters  to  the  British  Min 
istry.     See  Note  98,  Canto  I.     When  the  Caro- 
linas  were  first  settled,  Shaftsbury  and  Locke  pro 
posed  a  magnificent  scheme  of  aristocratic  govern 
ment  in  that  portion  of  the   New   World,  known 
as  the   Fundamental   Constitutions.     It   contem 
plated  orders  of  nobility,  and  all  the  parapherna 
lia  of  aristocracy  except  a  King  and  Court.   Even 
at  that  early  day  the  people  would  not  listen  to 
such  schemes,  and  they  were  abandoned. 

77  We   have   already  noticed    Hutchinson    and 
Oliver.     John  Vassal,  of  Cambridge,  was  an  Ad 
dresser    of  Hutchinson,    in  1774,    and    the   next 
year  he  was  driven  from  his  house  by  a  mob,  and 
made  his  abode  in  Boston.     Without  waiting  for 
Confiscation  Laws,  the   Committee  of  Safety  ap 
propriated  some  of  his  property  to  the  public  use. 
Such  appropriation  consisted  chiefly  of  the  pro 
ducts  of  the  land,  then  in  the  fields.     When  Wash 
ington  arrived  at  Cambridge,  he  made  Mr.  Vas 
sal's  house  his  head-quarters.     It  is  now  owned  and 
occupied  by  Professor  Longfellow,  the  eminent  poet. 
Mr.  Vassal  went  to  England,  with  his  family.     His 
property  was  confiscated  in  1778.     At  the  age  of 
sixty  years,  he  died  in   England.     The  Vassala 
were  among  the  earliest  and  most  respectable  of 
the  settlers  in  New  England. 


246  NOTES. 

78  These  were  the  titles  of  James,  the  brother  of 
Charles  the  Second,  who  afterward  became  King 
of  England.  The  province  of  New  Netherlaud 
was  given  to  him  by  his  brother,  and  when,  by 
actual  conquest,  he  came  into  possession  of  it,  the 
name  of  the  city  of  New  Amsterdam  was  changed 
to  New  York,  and  that  of  the  town  of  Fort  Orange, 
near  the  head  of  navigation  on  the  Hudson  river, 
to  Albany. 

'9  James  Jauncy  was  at  first  inclined  to  be  a 
whig,  and  was  an  associate  with  Jay  and  others 
on  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  of  Fifty. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  New  York  Assembly  in 
1775,  and  was  one  of  the  fourteen  of  that  body 
who  addressed  General  Gage  on  "  the  unhappy 
contest."  He  held  the  office  of  Master  of  the  Rolls 
under  the  Crown ;  and  his  property  was  confis 
cated.  After  the  war,  he  applied  to  the  legisla 
ture  of  New  York  for  a  restoration  of  his  pro 
perty. 

80  Samuel  Gales  was  also  one  of  the  fourteen 
Addressers   of  Gage,  who  were  members  of  the 
New  York  Assembly  in  1775. 

81  Colonel  Christopher  Billop  was  a  man  of  pro 
perty   and    influence.     His   house    is   yet  (1857) 
standing  on  Staten  Island,  opposite  Perth  Amboy. 
It  was  there  that   Lord   Howe  held  a  conference 
with  a  committee  of  Congress  on   the   subject  of 
peace,  in  177G.      Colonel  Billop  was  another  mem 
ber  of  the  New    York  Assembly,  who   addressed 


NOTES.  247 

General  Gage.  He  afterward  commanded  a  corps 
of  Loyalists,  was  made  a  prisoner,  and  was  con 
fined  in  New  Brunswick  (New  Jersey)  jail,  where 
lie  was  very  harshly  treated  in  retaliation  of  his 
cruelties  to  two  American  prisoners  in  his  custody. 
After  the  war  he  went  to  the  province  of  New 
Brunswick,  where  he  became  a  prominent  man. 
He  died  there  in  182",  at  the  age  of  ninety  years. 
8-  See  notice  of  Crean  Brush,  in  Note  70,  Canto  I. 
63  See  notice  of  Isaac  Wilkins,  D.  D.  Note  72, 
Canto  I. 

84  Frederick  Phillipse,  of  the  Phillipse  Manor,  in 
Westchester  County.  New  York,  is  here  alluded 
to.  He  was  the  brother  of  Mary  Phillipse,  whose 
hand  was  once  sought  by  George  Washington, 
when  he  was  a  provincial  Colonel.  Phillipse  was 
a  member  of  the  New  York  Assembly,  and  a  colo 
nel  of  militia;  and  finally,  on  account  of  his  op 
position  to  the  whigs,  he  felt  compelled  to  leave 
his  home  and  take  refuge  under  British  protection 
in  New  York.  From  thence  he  went  to  England. 
His  large  property  was  confiscated,  and  the  British 
Government  afterwards  allowed  him,  in  compen 
sation,  about  three  hundred  thousand  dollars. 
Colonel  Phillipse  died  in  England. 

83  This  was  Dr.  Myles  Cooper,  already  referred 
to  in  Note  59,  Canto  I.  He  was  a  noted  punster. 

86  John  Vardell  was  educated  at  King's  (now  Co 
lumbia)  College.  He  there  prepared  for  the  minis 
try,  and  became  a  professor  in  that  institution  for 


248  NOTES. 

a  while.  He  went  to  England  in  1774,  to  re 
ceive  orders ;  and  after  the  death  of  Dr.  Ogilvie, 
he  was  appointed  to  the  rectorship  of  Trinity 
Church,  in  New  York.  He  did  not  accept  it, 
being,  as  is  supposed,  in  the  employment  of  Govern 
ment.  Before  he  left  for  England,  he  had  written 
several  poetical  satires  on  the  Sons  of  Liberty, 
and  was  quite  noted  as  a  political  writer  in  prose 
and  verse. 

87  Two   High  Church  clergymen  of  New  York, 
already  noticed. 

88  In  note  9,  Canto  II,  we  have  referred  to  the 
materials  of  which  the  old  peerage  of  England  waa 
created.     Adam  was  "  created  "  of  the  dust  of  the 
ground.      So    the    English    technical   phrase    of 
"  creating  "  a  peer    seems  to  be  very  appropriate, 
when  we  turn  back  to  that  old  peerage,  for  surely 
it  was  of  "  low  degree." 

89  See   Note  47,  Canto  II,   concerning  the   re 
sponsibility  of  striking  the  first  blow. 

90  These   are  the   Alleghany  Mountai  s,  which 
extend  from  the   State  of  New  York  t(    that  of 
Georgia.     They  were  then  on  the  westeru  frontier 
of  the  English  settlements  in  America. 

91  The  province  of  Georgia  had  not  joined  the 
union  when  the  first  Canto  (of  which  this  is   a 
part)  of  McFingal  was  written.     Georgia  was  rep 
resented  in  the  next  Congress,  however. 

92  See  Note  29,  Canto  II. 

93  Demosthenes  pursued  a  course  of  very  severe 


NOTES. 


249 


self  training,  so  as  to  excel  in  oratory.  In  ordei 
to  acquire  for  his  voice  a  mastery  over  greater 
sounds,  he  used  to  stand  upon  the  sea-shore,  in 
storms,  and  declaim  amidst  the  roar  of  the  waves. 
By  this  means  he  was  enabled  to  make  his  words 
heard  and  heeded  in  the  tumult  of  a  great  as 
sembly. 

94  See  Note  25,  Canto  I. 

95  At  that  time,  and  until  a  quite  recent  period, 
the  pulpits  in    this  country  were    covered   by   a 
canopy   called   a  "  sounding  board,"  to  assist  in 
making  the  preacher's  voice  heard  by  the  whole 
congregation.     Drawings  of  such   pulpits  may  be 
seen    in    Lossing's   Pictorial   Field-Book   of  the 
devolution,  vdi.  i.  p.  '254,  and  vol.  ii.  p.  215. 

96  The   Parcaa   or   Fates  of  ancient  mythology 
were  Clotho  the  spinster,  who  spins  the  thread  of 
our  existence ;  Lachesis,  the  allotter  of  our  des 
tinies  ;    and    Atropos,    the    unchangeable,   whose 
shears   clip   the  thread  when   life's  mission  is  ful 
filled. 

97  The  Furije  of  mythology  were  Alecto,  the  un 
ceasing  ;  Megcera,  the  envier  or  denier ;   and  Ti- 
siphone,  the  blood-avenger. 

98  See  ^Esop's  Fables. 

99  Genesis,  Chapter  xi. 

100  On  some  day  in  the  week  previous  to  the  ad 
ministration  of  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Sup 
per  in  the  New  England  Churches,  a  sermon  was 
preached  which   was    called    a   lecture,  and  that 

11* 


25°  NOTES. 

day  was  known  as  lecture-day.  These  lectures 
were  generally  very  thinly  attended ;  a  fact  here 
alluded  to  by  the  poet. 


CANTO  III. 

1  See  Note  103,  Canto  I. 

4  See  Gulliver's  Travels,  by  Dean  Swift.  Tha 
"Brobdignagiaus  are  represented  as  a  race  of 
giants. 

8  "  His  spear,  to  equal  which  the  tallest  pine 
Hewn  on  Norwegian  hills,  to  be  the  mast 
Of  some  great  Admiral,  were  but  a  wand." 

Milton's  Paradise  Lost,  Book  I. 

4  At  an  early  period  of  the  contest,  after  the 
close  of  the  session  of  the  first  Continental  Con 
gress  in  the  autumn  of  1774,  the  Americans  used 
a  flag  with  thirteen  stripes,  alternate  red  and 
white,  to  signify  union.  The  stars  on  a  blue 
ground  wore  not  used  until  late  in  1777.  Congress 
adopted  the  following  resolution  on  the  14th  of 
June  of  that  year  :  "  That  the  flag  of  the  thirteen  ' 
United  States  be-thirteen  stripes,  alternate  red  and 
white ;  that  the  Union  be  thirteen  stars,  white, 
in  a  blue  field,  representing  a  new  constellation." 
This  Canto  was  written  at  the  close  of  the  con 
test. 


NOTES.  251 

6  A  mixed  liquor,  consisting  of  beer  and  spirits 
sweetened,  and  warmed  by  thrusting  a  hot  iron 
into  it. 

6  A  female,  celebrated  by  the  ancient  poets  as 
skilled  in  magic  arts  and  a  knowledge  of  subtle 
poisons.  She  inhabited  an  Island,  and  all  those  who 
approached  her  were  first  feasted,  and  then,  on 
tasting  the  contents  of  her  magic  cup,  were 
changed  into  swine.  She  may  properly  be  re 
garded  as  the  representation  of  Alcohol,  or  of 
sensual  indulgence  in  general. 

1  Nectar,  in  mythology  and  poetry,  was  the 
beverage  used  by  the  Gods. 

8  At  that  time  fire  engines  were  not  introduced 
into  this  country.     Leather  buckets  were  kept  in 
almost  every  house,  and  especially  by  the  members 
of  fire  companies,  to  be  used  for  the  purpose  of 
extinguishing  fires.     One    set    of  men    were   ap 
pointed  to  use  instruments  for  breaking  into  or 
pulling  down  buildings,  and  others,  called  "  bucket 
men,"  supplied  water. 

9  From  time  immemorial  high  poles,  called  May 
poles,  have  been  raised  in  England  on  the  first  day 
of  May,  and  profusely  garlanded  with  leaves  and 
flowers  in  honor  of  the  day,  the  ushering  in  of  the 
summer   wealth   of    the  land.      May-poles   were 
places  for  joyful  gatherings   of  the   young,  and 
doubtless  suggested  liberty-poles  as  the  rallying 
points  for  public  meetings.     See  Note  103,  Canto  I. 

10  Genesis,  Chapter, xi. 


252  NOTES. 

11  Alluding  to  the  electric  conductors,  or  light 
ning  rods,  of  Dr.  Franklin,  then  becoming  quite 
common  in  America  and  Europe. 

12  See  Note  7,  Canto  I. 

13  Numbers,  Chapter  xxi.  v.  9. 

14  The  great  Charter  of  England,  obtained  bj 
the  English  Barons,  of   King    John,  at  Runny- 
mede,  in  the  year  1215.    In  other  words,  a  funda 
mental  constitution,  which  guaranties  rights  and 
privileges. 

15  This  is  in  allusion  to  the  depreciation  of  the 
Continental  paper  money.     Congress  ascertained 
the  cause  of  its  declension  at  different  periods,  by 
what  was  called  a  Scale  of  Depreciation. 

16  A  grand  national  festival  of  the  Jews,  held 
every  fiftieth  year,  when  all  debts  were  cancelled, 
all  prisoners  and  slaves  were  liberated,  and  when 
all  lands  and  estates,  whether  they  had  been  sold 
or  mortgaged,  were  restored  to  the  original  propri 
etor.     It  was  ushered  in  with  trumpets  and  the 
most  vehement  demonstrations  of  joy. 

17  The  courts  of  justice  were  everywhere  closed 
at  the  commencement  of  the  war,  and  those  Judges 
who  had  been  appointed  by  the  Crown,  and  per 
sisted  in  holding  their  seats,  were  driven  from  the 
court-rooms  by  the  people,  who  assembled  in  mul 
titudes,  armed  with  white  staves,  the  insignia  of 
order. 

18  Alluding  to  the  seizure  of  the  property  of 
Tories  or  Loyalists  in  the  neighborhood  of  Bos- 


NOTES.  253 

ton,  after  their  flight  into  that  city.     See  Not6 
163,  Canto  IV. 

19  An  old  method  of  mild  punishment,  used  even 
as  far  back  as  the  time  of  the  early  Jews.     The 
feet  were  confined  in  a  wooden    frame-work,  so 
that  the  sitting  delinquent  could  not  move  them, 
and  in  that  situation  he  was  subjected  to  the  scoffs 
and  rude  insults  of  passers   by.     Hudibras,   the 
great  prototype  of  M'Fingal,  was  subjected  to  such 
punishment. 

20  The  Loyalists  often  taunted  the  Whigs  be 
cause  some  of  their  leaders  were  mechanics  and 
tradesmen.     In  the  temporary  theatres  established 
by  the  British  in  Boston,  New  York,  and  Phila 
delphia,    during  the  war,  these    taunts  formed  a 
staple  of  the  amusements.     And  these  were  con 
tinued  long  afterward.      On  one  occasion  a  play 
was  in  course  of  performance  in  a  London  theatre, 
in  which  American  officers   were   represented  as 
mechanics  of  every  kind.     In  the  midst  of  the 
hilarity  which  the  play  occasioned  on  that  account, 
an  American  sailor  in  the  gallery  shouted,  "  Hur 
rah  !    England  whipt  by  cobblers  ?ud  tailors  !  " 
The  tables  were  turned  upon  John  Bull. 

21  Unfortunately  for  Benedict  Arnold,  when  his 
overt  act  of  treason  became  known,  he  had  not 
the  redeeming  antecedents  of  a  good  character  to 
fall  back  upon.     In  early  life  he  was  an  apothe 
cary,  and  those  with  whom  he  served  an  appren 
ticeship  in    Norwich,  Connecticut,  set  him  up  iu 


254  NOTES. 

business  iu  New  Haven,  where  he  also  kept  books 
and  a  general  store.  His  sign — "  B.  Arnold, 
Druggist,  Bookseller,  &c.,  from  London," — is  yet 
iu  existence.  He  also  became  interested  in  the 
West  India  trade,  and  made  several  voyages 
thither.  He  sometimes  traded  in  horses  ;  and  it  is 
said  that  the  minute  knowledge  of  the  city  of 
Quebec,  displayed  by  him  when  he  led  troops  acro.-a 
the  wilderness  to  that  place,  in  1775,  was  obtained 
during  his  previous  visits  there  for  the  purpose  of 
buying  horses.  He  finally  failed  in  business,  be 
came  a  bankrupt,  and  was  charged  with  saving  a 
good  deal  of  moncry  by  perjury.  In  this  sentence 
there  is  an  allusion  to  a  curious  lawsuit  which  he 
instituted  against  a  brother  skipper  for  slander. 

12  The  author  here  remarks,  in  a  Note,  that 
"M'Fingal  having  here  inserted  the  names  and 
characters  of  several  great  men,  whom  the  public 
have  not  yet  fully  detected,  it  is  thought  proper 
to  omit  sundry  paragraphs  of  his  speech  in  the 
present  edition."  These  were  never  added. 

23  Hudibras,  a  satirical  epic  by  Samuel  Butler, 
is  one  of  the  few  productions  of  that  kind  aimed 
at  living  characters  or  systems,  which  have  sur 
vived  their  age.  Hudibras  is  a  cavalier  burlesque 
of  the  extravagant  ideas  and  rigid  manners  of  the 
English  Puritans  of  the  Civil  War  and  the  Com 
monwealth.  It  was  published  after  the  restora 
tion  of  monarchy;  and  it  is  understood  that  Sir 
Hudibras,  the  chief  hero  of  the  epic,  was  the 


NOTES.  255 

representation  of  Sir  Samuel  Luke,  a  well  known 
Bedfordshire  gentleman,  one  of  Cromwell's  favorite 
officers.  His  character  is  strongly  marked  by  the 
peculiarities  of  that  period.  Butler's  model  for 
the  actions  of  his  h.3ro  was  Don  Quixotte,  of  Cer 
vantes.  Hudibras  is  considered  not  only  the  best 
burlesque  of  the  Puritans,  but  the  best  satire 
in  the  English  language. 

n-4  This  is  a  thrust  at  the  many  glaring  defects 
in  the  Articles  of  Confederation — the  original 
constitution  of  the  Federal  Union.  They  served 
a  good  purpose  while  the  union  was  cemented  by 
the  necessities  of  the  existing  war  ;  but  when  Con 
gress  attempted  to  control  the  action  of  any  of  the 
States,  it  was  powsrless.  These  defects  were  so 
grave,  that  Washington  and  others  took  measures 
to  have  a  revision  of  those  fundamental  statutes. 
A  convention  for  that  purpose  was  called,  when  it 
was  found  to  be  wiser  to  make  a  new  machine  than 
to  attempt  to  patch  up  the  old  one ;  and  a  second 
convention  framed  the  present  Federal  Constitu 
tion,  in  the  year  1787. 

K  In  issuing  bills  of  credit,  and  in  other  trans 
actions,  Congress  "  pledged  the  faith  of  the  United 
States,"  when,  in  fact,  the  States  were  not  indi 
vidually  bound,  by  the  old  confederation,  to  redeem 
that  pledge.  The  British  ministry  would  not  re 
cognize  the  Congress  as  a  legal  body,  and  for  a 
long  time  refused  to  hold  any  communication  with 
its  members,  except  as  private  individuals.  And 


256  NOTES. 

General  Howe,  under  ministerial  instructions,  at 
first  addressed  letters  to  the  American  commander- 
in-chief,  as  "  Mr.  Washington,"  alleging  that  his 
commission  was  not  valid,  because  not  given  by  a 
legal  body.  Of  course  the  general  refused  to  re 
ceive  any  communications  thus  addressed,  and 
Howe  was  compelled  to  yield. 

86  Roger  Bacon  was  a  wonderful  philosopher  of 
the  thirteenth  century.  He  became  a  Franciscan 
monk,  but  his  scientific  discoveries  and  pursuits 
were  so  far  above  the  comprehension  of  his  asso 
ciates  and  the  age  in  .which  lie  lived,  that  he  was 
generally  regarded  as  a  magician.  Many  stories 
of  his  magic  arts  were  circulated  ;  among  others, 
that  he  possessed  a  human  head  of  brass,  out  of 
which  issued  wise  oracles.  His  fellow-monks  be 
came  afraid  of  him,  discarded  his  books,  and  finally 
procured  his  imprisonment  for  twelve  long  years. 
He  undoubtedly  discovered  gunpowder  and  the 
telescope,  and  made  many  wonderful  experiments 
in  chemistry.  In  his  treatises  he  couched  his  in 
formation  in  allegorical  figures,  and  the  then  igno 
rant  world  was  left  to  guess  at  his  meaning.  All 
nj ay  be  interpreted  by  the  light  of  science  at  tho 
present  time. 

•7  This  political  plan  of  Trinculo,  the  jester,  in 
the  Tempest,  may  be  found  in  the  old  folio  editions 
of  Shaksneare,  but,  for  some  reason,  it  has  been  ex 
punged  by  his  commentators,  and  does  not  now 
appear. 


NOTES.  257 

« 

™  The  Centipede. 

59  The  English  Constitution  comprehends  the 
whole  body  of  laws  by  which  the  British  people 
arc  governed.  Lord  Bolingbroke  made  this  nice 
distinction  :  "  This  assemblage  of  laws  is  distin 
guished  from  the  term  government  in  this  respect ; 
that  the  Constitution  is  the  rule  by  which  the 
sovereign  ought  to  rule  at  all  times,  and  govern 
ment  is  that  by  which  he  does  govern  at  any  par 
ticular  time." 

30  See  Note  76,  Canto  I. 

31  We  have  already  alluded  in  Note  83,  Canto  I., 
to  the  destruction  of  tea  in  Boston  harbor.     It  was 
done  immediately  after  the  breaking  up  of  a  popu 
lar  meeting  in  the  Old  South  Church,  Boston,  on 
the  evening  of  the  16th  of  December,  1773.     Mr. 
Josiah  Quincy  had   pronounced  an  eloquent  and 
stirring  speech  in   the   course  of  the    afternoon. 
Twilight  approached,  and  a  call  was  made  for  can 
dles.     At  that   moment,  a  person   in   the  gallery, 
disguised  as  a  Mohawk   Indian,  raised   the   war- 
whoop,  and  was  immediately  answered  from  with 
out.     Another  voice  cried  out,  "  Boston   Harbor 
a  tea-pot  to-night  !     Hurrah  for  Griffin's  wharf  1  " 
At  that  wharf  the  two  tea-ships  were  moored.     The 
meeting  broke  up  in  great  excitement,  and  several 
persons,  disguised  as  Indians,  were  seen  to  cross 
Fort  Hill  to  Griffin's  wharf.     There  was  evident 
concert  of  action,  and  about  fifteen  or  twenty  per 
sons  thus   disguised,  with  others  differently  con- 


258  NOTES. 

cealed,  went  on  board  the  ships,  deliberate  took 
the  chests  of  tea  from  the  holds,  broke  ther,  open, 
and  cast  their  contents  into  the  water.  Three 
hundred  and  forty-two  chests  of  tea  were  thus 
destroyed. 

82  The  tea-ships  were  watched  for  twenty  suc 
cessive  nights  by  parties  of  young  men,  to  prevent 
the  landing  of  the  cargo.  Under  the  Indian  dis 
guise,  when  the  tea  was  destroyed,  might  have 
been  seen  ruffled  shirts  and  laced  vests ;  for  those 
who  performed  that  act  were  among  the  most  re 
spectable  residents  of  Boston.  Samuel  Adams,  the 
sturdy  patriot,  was  one  of  them. 

33  The  moccasin  is  the  flexible  Indian  shoe,  gene 
rally  made  of  the  tanned  deer-skin,  and  is  often 
highly  ornamented. 

84  Warnpum  was  the  money  of  the  Indians,  and 
constituted  expensive  ornaments.  It  was  made 
of  the  clear  parts  of  the  clam-shell,  wrought  into 
the  form  of  small  cylinders,  like  the  beads  of  our 
day  known  as  bugles,  and  about  half  an  inch  in 
length.  They  were  arranged  in  strings  and  belts. 
When  used  for  ornaments,  they  were  disposed  in 
alternate  layers  of  white  and  black.  As  a  circu 
lating  medium,  they  were  valued  at  about  two 
cents  for  three  black  beads,  or  six  of  the  white 
ones.  They  were  strung  in  parcels  to  represent  a 
penny,  three  pence,  a  shilling,  and  five  shillings  of 
white,  and  double  that  amount  in  black.  The  al 
lusion  to  "  laces  "  refers  to  the  respectable  charae- 


NOTES.  259 

ter  of  the  persons  engaged  in  the  destruction  of  the 
tea,  as  mentioned  in  a  preceding  note. 

35  That  is,  painted  their  faces.     A  single  coat 
of  paint  is  technically  called  a  priming. 

36  The  British  soldiers,  whose  coats  were  made 
of  scarlet  cloth,  were  called  Red-coats.     In  allu 
sion  to  the  same  color,  the  provincial  troops  in  the 
French    and   Indian    war   sometimes    called    the 
British  Regulars,  "  lobsters." 

a;  Governor  Hutchinson  was  very  much  alarmed 
at  the  proceedings  of  the  populace  in  destroying 
the  tea,  and  very  early  the  next  morning  he  re 
tired  secretly  to  his  country-seat  at  Milton,  a  short 
distance  from  the  city.  There  he  received  an  in 
timation  that  the  mob  was  coming  to  pull  down 
his  house.  With  the  utmost  haste  he  escaped 
across  the  fields.  The  story  was  current  at  the 
time,  that  he  was  half-shaved  by  the  barber  when 
the  alarming  news  reached  him,  and  that  in  such 
plight — "  in  the  suds  "  and  bare-headed,  he  fled. 

3S  See  Note  85,  Canto  I. 

39*This  alludes  to  the  general  breaking-up  of  all 
the  councils  of  the  royal  governors  in  the  colonies. 
These  officials,  unable  to  stem  the  current  of  pub 
lic  opinion  and  popular  indignation,  were  compelled 
to  relinquish  their  power  and  leave  the  country. 

40  Although  some  of  the  earlier  organizations  of 
the  Sons  of  Liberty  took  place  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  yet  the  Loyalists  held  sway  there  in  the 
public  councils  longer  than  in  any  other  province, 


260  NOTES. 

When  the  Provincial  Congress  met  on  the  2'2d  of 
May,  1775,  its  political  complexion  greatly  disap 
pointed  the  people ;  for  much  timidity  prevailed 
in  the  Assembly,  and  under  the  influence  of  Gov 
ernor  Tryon  and  the  municipal  authority,  a  major 
ity  of  the  members  were  favorable  to  conciliatory 
measures,  instead  of  vigorous  preparations  for  de 
fence.  For  this  reason  New  York  was  taunted  as 
loyal,  when  the  great  mass  of  the  people  were 
really  whig  to  the  core. 

41  When  the  skirmishes  at  Lexington  and  Con 
cord  became  known  in  New  York,  Captain  Isaac 
Sears,  one  of  the  boldest  of  the  patriots  of  the  day, 
was  in  custody  on  a  charge  of  making  treasonable 
propositions  to  the  people.  He  was  about  to  be 
taken  to  prison,  when  the  populace  took  him  forci 
bly  from  the  officers,  and  bore  him  in  triumph 
through  the  town,  preceded  by  a  band  of  music 
and  a  banner.  This  is  the  occurrence  alluded  to 
by  Dr.  Auchmuty  in  Note  57,  Canto  I.  The  peo 
ple  also  took  possession  of  the  City  Hall,  armed 
themselves,  and,  led  by  John  Lamb,  Marinus  Wil- 
lett,  John  Morin  Scott,  and  others,  they  embar 
goed  all  vessels  in  the  harbor,  laden  with  provisions 
for  the  British  army  in  Boston.  A  cargo  of  rum 
for  the  patriots  arrived.  The  collector  of  the  port 
would  not  allow  it  to  be  landed.  Sears  and  Lamb, 
with  a  large  concourse  of  people,  took  possession 
of  it,  carried  it  to  its  destination  in  the  city,  and, 
returning  to  the  custom-house,  they  demanded  and 


NOTES.  261 

j  the  keys  of  that  establishment,  dismissed 
the  employees,  and  closed  the  building.  All  the 
money  and  arms  in  the  custom-house  were  seized ; 
and  during  the  summer  many  of  such  overt  acts 
of  rebellion  were  committed  by  the  highly  exas 
perated  people.  Tories  were  insulted  ;  and  on 
one  occasion,  when  the  Sons  of  Liberty  were  carry 
ing  off  the  cannon  from  Fort  George  and  the  Bat 
tery,  and  the  Asia  man-of-war  fired  upon  them, 
the  story  was  circulated  that  the  city  was  about  to 
be  pillaged  and  burnt.  Hundreds  of  men,  women 
and  children,  frightened  by  the  rumor,  hurried  off 
at  midnight  beyond  the  suburbs  of  the  doomed 
town. 

4'2  This  is  in  allusion  to  the  quandary  in  which 
events  placed  William  Smith,  an  eminent  lawyer 
of  New  York,  who  seemed  very  desirous  of  being 
on  the  strongest  side.  He  first  opposed  the  mea 
sures  of  Great  Britain,  but  finally  adhered  to  the 
crown,  and  became  a  very  decided  Loyalist.  He 
was  brother  to  Joshua  Hett  Smith,  who  figured  in 
the  Arnold  and  Andre  episode.  Smith  afterward 
became  Chief  Justice  of  Canada. 

43  Burning  or  hanging  the  effigy  of  an  obnoxious 
officer  was  a  common  practice,  and  is  still  con 
tinued.  It  was  an  indication  of  the  public  senti 
ment  against  a  man,  and  was  practised  here  in  imi 
tation  of  a  former  custom  of  the  English,  in  burning 
annually  effigies  of  the  Pope,  the  Devil,  and  the 
Pretender. 


262  NOTES. 

44  lu  almost  every  case  of  effigy  burning,  that  of 
the  Devil  was  associated  with  the  mortal  offender. 
Thus,  when  in  1765  a  mob  in  New  York  burned 
the    effigy    of   Lieutenant-Governor    Cadwallader 
Golden,  they  placed  an  image  of  the  Devil,  with 
a  boot  in  his  hand,  by  his  side.     The  boot  (used 
also  in  caricatures  of  that  period)  was  a  representa 
tion  of  the   Earl  of  Bute,  mentioned  in  Note  7, 
Canto  I.,  because  of  a  similarity  in  the  orthoepy. 

45  William  Tryon  had  figured  as  an  oppressor, 
from  1768  to  1771,  in  North  Carolina,  where  a 
party  calling  themselves  Regulators,  in  the  west 
ern  part  of  the  State,  raised  the  standard  of  rebel 
lion.      He  became  governor  of  New- York,  and  held 
that  office  when  the  war  broke  out.     Like  other 
royal  governors,   he  was   compelled   to   yield  to 
popular  indignation,  and  he  retaliated  as  a  mili 
tary  leader.     We  shall  meet  him  again. 

46  Joseph  Galloway  was  an  influential  and  very 
popular  Whig  leader  in  Pennsylvania  at  the  com 
mencement  of  troubles.      He  had  worked  shoulder 
to  shoulder  with  Dr.  Franklin  in  the  Pennsylvania 
Assembly  against   the    Proprietaries,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  First  Continental  Congress  in  1774. 
After  a  while,  when  there  appeared  no  chance  for 
reconciliation    with    Great    Britain,  he  wavered ; 
and  in  1776  he  abandoned  the  Whigs,  wrote  much 
against  them,  and  became  one  of  the  most  violent 
and  prescriptive  Loyalists  of  the  time.     He  joined 
the  royal  army  in  New  York,  and  from  thence  he 


NOTES.  263 

went  to  England*  in  1778,  where  he  remained  until 
his  death  in  1803.  Just  before  his  escape,  a 
trunk  was  put  on  board  a  vessel  in  the  Delaware, 
directed  to  Joseph  Galloway,  Esq.  It  contained 
only,  as  Shakspeare  says, 

"  A  halter  gratis,  and  leave  to  hang  himself." 

His  examination  before  the  House  of  Commons 
was  a  remarkable  episode  in  the  history  of  that 
period.  He  was  in  continual  correspondence  with 
Loyalists  in  America  for  many  years,  upon  sub 
jects  connected  with  tlie  war.  His  estate  in 
Pennsylvania,  valued  at  $200,000,  was  confiscated  ; 
but  a  greater  portion  of  it  was  afterward  restored 
to  his  daughter,  it  having  been  originally  derived 
from  his  wife. 

47  Mainprize,  in  law,  is  a  writ  directed  to  a 
sheriff,  commanding  him  to  take  sureties  for  the 
prisoner's  appearance,  and  to  let  him  go  at  large. 
The  allusions  in  this  sentence  are  to  the  retreat  of 
the  British,  after  the  skirmishes  at  Lexington  and 
Concord.  The  minute-men,  concealed  behind 
stone-walls,  bushes  and  buildings,  galled  them  ter 
ribly.  A  greater  part  of  the  loss  of  the  enemy 
on  that  day  occurred  from  this  mode  of  warfare. 

43  It  was  a  favorite  method  of  the  royal  officers, 
when  speaking  of  the  "  rebels,"  or  in  making 
propositions  to  them,  to  say,  "  The  door  of  mercy 
is  shut,"  or  "  it  will  soon  be  shut,"  and  "  Vengeance 
shall  sleep  no  more." 


264  NOTES. 

49  Dagou,  the  chief  idol-god  of -the  Philistines, 
represented  with  the  body  of  a  man,  and  the  tail 
of  a  fish.     1  Samuel  v.  1-5. 

50  The  Tory  clergy  always  spoke  of  the  king  as 
The  Lord's  Anointed. 

51  Joshua,  chapter  vi. 

M  When  the  people  had  fairly  lifted  the  arm  of 
open  resistance,  they  would  not  acknowledge  the 
king  as  ruler  in  any  form.  Henry  Laurens  boldly 
asserted  his  independence  in  this  particular,  even 
while  a1  state  prisoner,  on  a  charge  of  treason,  in 
the  Tower  of  London,  in  1781.  He  was  at  first 
treated  very  rigorously,  but  the  people  of  England 
became  so  clamorous  because  of  the  injustice,  that 
ministers  were  very  anxious  to  relieve  themselves 
of  the  odium.  He  was  offered  pardon  if  he  would 
ask  it.  He  nobly  refused,  because  he  had  done 
nothing  that  required  pardon.  Then  the  ministry 
procured  bail  for  him,  intending  that  his  release 
from  confinement,  under  that  form  of  law,  should 
be  perpetual.  When,  in  reading  the  form,  the 
clerk  of  the  court  repeated  the  words,  "  Our  sove 
reign  Lord  and  King,"  the  prisoner  immediately 
said,  "  Not  my  Sovereign,"  and  refused  to  ac 
knowledge  George  the  Third  as  such.  He  was 
bailed,  and  then  joined  the  commission  to  nego 
tiate  for  peace  between  the  two  countries. 

53  Ovid's  Metamorphoses,  Book  12.  The  Lapi- 
thae  and  Centaurs  were  hostile  tribes  of  Thessaly. 


NOTES.  265 

The  latter,  because  always  seen  on  horseback,  were 
said  to  be  half  men  and  half  h  orscs. 

54  Bacchus  was  the  god   of  Wine— the  tutelar 
deity  of  inebriates — a  personification  of  sensual 
indulgence. 

55  Pallas  was  one  of  the    names  of  the  goddess 
Minerva,  as  opposed  to  the  wild  war-god,  Mars ; 
and  she  was  the  patroness  and  teacher  of  just  and 
scientific  warfare.     She  was  the  presiding  deity  in 
the  Parthenon  at  Athens. 

56  Mars  was  the  great  god  of  War  in  the  Greek 
mythology. 

67  Iris  was  the  daughter  of  Thaumas  and  Elec 
tro, — Wonder  and  Brightness — and  was  the  god 
dess  of  the  Rainbow. 

68  In  this  the  reader  will  readily  observe  the  al 
lusions  to  the  single  combats  of  Paris  and  Men- 
elaus,  as  described  by  Homer ;  and  of  ,ZEneas  and 
Turnus,  mentioned  by  Virgil.     Also  of  Michael 
and  Satan,  in  Milton's  Paradise  Lost,  Book  VI. 

69  It  was  the  fashion  in  New  England  at  that 
time  for  Judges  to  wear  swords,  on  the  bench. 

60  Vulcan  was  the  god  of  Fire,  the  great  me 
chanic  of  the  Greek  mythology.  Mount  Etna 
and  other  volcanoes  were  regarded  as  his  forges, 
and,  according  to  the  legends,  he  made  imple 
ments  of  war  for  the  old  Grecian  heroes. 

si  —  "  The  sword 

Was  given  him  tempered  so  that  neither  keen 
Nor  solid  might  resist  its  edge :  it  met 


266  NOTES. 

The  sword  of  Satan  with  steep  force  to  smite 
Descending,  and  in  half  cut  sheer." 

Milton's  Paradise  Lost,  Book  VI. 

62  Milton's  Paradise  Lost,  Book  II. 

63  This  idea  is  from  Juvenal,  Satire  15. 

64  Alluding   to    the   large  people    described   in 
Gulliver's  Travels,  already  mentioned,  and  to  the 
popular  belief  that  the   Patagonians  who  inhabit 
the  southern  extremity  of  South   America,  were 
giants  in  stature. 

65  "And  earth  self-balanced  on  her  centre  hung." 

Milton. 

66  Aristophanes,  in  his  Comedy  of  The  Clouds, 
represents  Socrates  as  hoisted  in  a  basket.     The 
object  was  to  aid  him  in  contemplation. 

67  The  hatchel  was  an  implement  used  in  domes 
tic  manufacture  to  clean  the  coarser  from  the  finer 
fabric  of  the  flax,  when  preparing  it  for  spinning. 
It  was  made  of  a  piece  of  plank,  with  a  large  num 
ber   of  iron   spikes  driven    through,  and  standing 
upright  and   close   together.     Through    them   the 
flax  was  drawn  by   hand,  and  the   tow  was  sepa 
rated  from  the  finer  fibre. 

6S  See  Note  19,  Canto  III. 

69  At  that  time  the  barbarous  practice  of  clip 
ping  off  a  part  or  the  whole  of  the  ears  of  crimi 
nals  was  in  vogue.  It  was  called  cropping. 

™  See-  Note  87,  Canto  I. 

71  Israel  Williams  was  a  member  of  the  Massa 
chusetts  Assembly  for  many  years,  and  became  a 


NOTES.  267 

Mandamus  Councillor  in  1774.  That  fact  brought 
Whig  vengeance  upon  him.  Though  old  and  quite 
infirm,  a  mob  took  him  from  his  house  one  night, 
carried  him  several  miles,  and  put  him  into  a  room 
with  fire.  They  then  closed  the  doors  and  the  top 
of  the  chimney,  and  kept  him  there  in  the  smoke 
several  hours.  On  being  released  he  was  compelled 
to  sign  a  sort  of  recantation,  drawn  up  by  one  of 
his  tormentors. 

72  Thomas  Oliver,  of  Cambridge,  .who  mingled 
but  little  in  politics.     He  was  the  last  Royal  Lieu 
tenant-Governor   of    Massachusetts.       His    house 
was  mobbed  on  the  morning  of  September  2, 1774, 
because  of  his  refusal  to  resign  his  seat  as  Presi 
dent  of  the  Mandamus  Council.     They  compelled 
him    to    make   a  sort  of  resignation   in  writing. 
Governor  Oliver  went  to  Halifax  with  the  British 
troops,  and  from  thence  to  England.     He  died  at 
Bristol  in  1815. 

73  See  Note  59,  Canto  I. 

14  It  is  a  curious  fact,  that  the  mobs  in  New 
England  at  that  time  always  conducted  their  pro 
ceedings  after  the  prescribed  legal  forms,  when 
they  tried  and  condemned  Tories. 

75  This  was  in  retaliation  and  imitation  of  the 
outrageous  conduct  of  Colonel  Nesbitt,  mentioned 
in  Note  38,  Canto  II.  Sometimes  those  who  re 
ceived  a  coat  of  tar  and  feathers  were  placed 
astride  a  rail,  and  were  thus  paraded  through  the 
town. 


268  NOTES. 

76  The  Jewish  kings  were  <l  anointed  "  by  the 
High  Priest  before  they  were  crowned,  by  having 
perfumed  oil  poured  upon  their  heads.  Hence  the 
cant  of  Tory  clergymen  at  that  time,  in  calling 
King  George  "  The  Lord's  Anointed."  To  this 
day  an  allusion  to  the  ancient  practice  is  contained 
in  the  expression  "  By  the  Grace  of  God,  King," 
&c. 

"'  See  Claudian's  Gigantomachia. 

''8  Enceladus  was  one  of  the  Giants  or  Titans 
who  warred  against  Jove.  As  he  fled,  Minerva 
fluug  the  Island  of  Sicily  upon  him,  when,  accord 
ing  to  the  poets,  his  motions  caused  the  eruptions 
of  xEtna. 

79  Mai  was  the  mother  of  Mercury.     See  Note 
24,  Canto  I. 

80  "  A  seraph  winged  ;  six  wings  he  wore,  to  shade 

His  lineaments  divine." 

Milton's  Paradise  Lost,  Book  V. 

81  The  Gorgons  were  three  sisters — Stheno,  Eu~ 
ryale,  and  3/<?<fwsa,whosc  hairs  were  entwined  with 
serpents,    and   they   had    wiogs   of    gold.     Their 
hands  were  of  brass,  and  their  bodies  were  cov 
ered  with  impenetrable  scales.     Their  teeth  were 
as  long  as  the  tusks  of  a  wild  boar,  and  they  turned 
to  stone  all  those  upon  whom  they  fixed  their  eyes. 
Chimera  was  a  terrible  monster,   that   vomited 
fire.     It  had  the  head  and  neck  of  a  lion,  the  body 
of  a  goat,  and  the  tail  of  a  serpent. 

8S  Plato's  famous  definition  of  man  was,  animal 


NOTES.  269 

bipes  implumis  :  "  a  two-legged    animal  withou4 
feathers." 

s*  In  ancient  Rome,  the  union  of  two  men  in 
the  same  office  was  called  a  Duumvirate.  Several 
kinds  of  offices  were  thus  filled  by  two  persons  at 
the  same  time. 

84  Livy  mentions   the  fact  that  an   owl   having 
been  discovered  in  Rome,  it  was  considered  an 
omen  of  great  evil.     It  was  caught,  taken  from 
temple  to   temple,    where    lustrations    were    per 
formed,  and  in  great  and  solemn  procession  the  Ro 
mans  conducted   the   ill-omened  bird  beyond  the 
walls,  and  set  it  at  liberty  in  the  forest. 

85  Votes  were  frequently  passed  at  town  meet 
ings  in   New  England,  with  a   view   to   prevent 
the    augmentation    of    prices    of    various     arti 
cles,  and  to  stop  the  depreciation  of  Continental 
money. 

86  A  shell-fish  which  often  adheres  to  the  bottoms 
of  ships  at  sea  (as  well  as  rocks  and  timber)  in  such 
quantities  as  to  impede  their  progress. 

87  "  I  hear  a  voice  you  cannot  hear, 

That  says  I  must  not  stay." 

Ticknell's  Ballad. 

88  In  the  debate  on  Lord  North's  first  proposi 
tion  in  Parliament,  in  February,  1775,  to  use  co 
ercive  measures  against  the  Colonies,  the  celebra 
ted  John  Wilkes,  then  a  member  of  the  House  of 
Commons,  took  a  couspi  cuous  part  in  favor  of  the 


270  NOTES. 

Americans.  He  declared  that  "  a  proper  resistance 
to  wrong  was  revolution,  not  rebellion,"  and  pro 
phetically  intimated  that  if  the  Americans  were 
successful  in  the  struggle  then  commenced,  they 
might,  in  after  times,  celebrate  the  Revolution  of 
1775,  as  the  English  did  that  of  1688,  when  they 
drove  the  last  of  the  Stuart  kings  from  the  throne. 


CANTO   IV. 

1  The  Tories  during  the  Revolution,  being  not 
only  in  the  minority,  but  more  hated  by  the  Whigs 
than  were  the  British  soldiery,  were  compelled  to 
use  great  caution,  and  their  secret  meetings  were 
held  in  cellars  and -other  lurking-places. 

"  The  great  hall  or  council-chamber  of  evil 
spirits.  A  description  of  it,  in  Paradise  Lost,  Book 
I.,  is  one  of  the  most  sublime  creations  of  Milton's 
genius,  and  has  been  embodied  by  art,  by  the  fine 
pencil  of  Martin  of  our  day. 

3  In  all  New  England  cellars,  bins  are  furnish 
ed  for  vegetables  in  winter.  They  are  general  .y 
about  four  feet  in  height,  and  form  good  plar  u 
for  concealment. 

*          — "  His  form  had  not  yet  lost 

All  its  original  brightness,  nor  appeared 
Less  than  Archangel  ruined." 

Milton's  Paradise  Lost,  Book  x 


NOTES.  271 

5  It  must  be  remembered  how  the  Whigs  had 
just    robed    poor    Squire    McFingal    ia    tar   and 
feathers. 

6  See  Note  6,  Canto  I. 

7  See  Note  98,  Canto  I. 

8  Drunk  on  flip.     See  Note  5,  Canto  III. 

'J  Tar  is  procured  from  the  pine  and  fir  trees,  by 
burning  the  wood  by  a  close  smothering  heat. 

10  "  To  drive  the  deere  with  hound  and  home, 

Erie  Percy  took  his  way  ; 
The  child  may  rue  that  is  unborne, 
The  hunting  of  that  day." 

Clievy  Chase. 

11  John  Malcolm  was  a  Scotchman,  who  settled 
in   North  Carolina   after  the  famous    rebellion  of 
1745.     He  was  aid  to  Governor  Tryon  in  1771, 
when  he  went  against  the  Regulators.     [See  Note 
12,  Canto  IV.]     He  afterward  became  a  custom 
house    officer    at    Falmouth    (now    Portland),  in 
Maine;  and  early  in  1774,  he  was  in   a  similar 
position  in  Boston.      He   was  an   insolent   man. 
One  day  he   struck  a  tradesman   for   an   alleged 
insult,  and  a  warrant  was  issued  for  his  arrest. 
The  constable  pretended  he   could  not  find  him. 
A  mob  gathered  about  his  house,  when  he  thrust 
a  sword   through  a  broken  window  and  wounded 
oue  of  them.      They  broke  in,  found  him   in   a 
chamber,  lowered  him   by  a  rope  from  a  window 
to  a  cart,  tore  off  his  clothes,  tarred  and  feathered 


272  NOTES. 

him,  and  dragged  him  through  several  of  the 
streets,  with  a  rope  around  his  neck,  to  Liberty 
Tree.  From  there  he  was  taken  to  a  gallows  on 
Boston  Neck,  beaten,  and  threatened  with  death. 
In  the  course  of  an  hour,  he  was  conveyed  to  the 
extreme  north  end  of  the  town ;  and  then,  after  be 
ing  bruised,  and  benumbed  with  cold  for  four 
hours,  they  took  him  back  to  his  house.  What 
became  of  him  afterward,  is  not  on  record.  He 
was  despised  by  both  parties,  and  became  equally 
malevolent  toward  Whigs  and  Tories. 

15  The  rapacity  of  officials  in  North  .Carolina, 
caused  a  great  increase  in  the  taxes  of  the  pro 
vince  during  the  adminstration  of  Governor  Tryon. 
The  oppression  was  real — not  an  abstract  princi 
ple,  as  in  New  England.  The  people  in  the  in 
terior  associated  for  protection,  and  as  already 
mentioned,  they  called  themselves  Regulators  of 
public  affairs.  In  the  spring  of  1771,  their  opera 
tions  became  open  rebellion,  and  Tryon  marched 
to  subdue  them  with  a  strong  militia  force.  The 
belligerents  met  on  the  Allamance,  a  tributary  of 
the  Haw,  in  Allamance  County.  While  in  oppos 
ing  battle  order,  Malcolm,  Tryon's  aid  above 
mentioned,  was  sent  with  a  flag  of  truce.  Recent 
perfidy  on  the  part  of  Tryon,  made  the  Regulators 
reckless  of  the  rules  of  war,  and  they  immediately 
fired  on  the  bearer.  Malcolm  took  to  his  heels, 
and,  as  tradition  avers,  the  buttons  of  his  small 


NOTES.  273 

clothes  gave  way  in  his  haste.     "  He  saved  his 
life,"  however,  and  cared  little  for  the  ridicule. 

13  There  is  in  the  scene  that  follows,  a  general 
allusion  to  the  appearance  and  speech  of  Hector's 
Ghost,  in  the  second  book  of  Virgil's  ^neid. 

14  In  1715,  a  son  of  James  the  Second  of  Eng 
land,  who  had   been  acknowledged  king  of  that 
realm,  as  James  the   Third,  by  Louis  the  Four 
teenth  of  France,  set  up  his  standard  in  Scotland, 
and  caused  a  rebellion  there.     It  was  suppressed, 
and    the   Pretender,    as    the    prince    was    called, 
escaped    to    the    continent.      In    1745,   his  son, 
Charles  Edward,  landed  in  Scotland,  proclaimed 
his  father  king  of  Great  Britain,  and  caused  an 
other  serious  rebellion.     That,  too,  was  suppressed 
the  following  year,  and  many  of  the  Highlanders 
who  were  implicated  came  to  America,  and  settled 
in    the     Carolinas,    as    voluntary    or    involuntary 
refugees.      Among    them   was   the   famed    Flora 
McDonald.      This  was   "  the  last   rebellion  "   al 
luded  to  by  the  poet. 

15  "  Leaving  the  old,  both  worlds  at  once  they  view, 

Who  stand  upon  the  threshold  of  the  new." 

Waller. 

16  JEneas    was    a    celebrated    Trojan   warrior, 
whose   adventures  and  wanderings  form  the  sub 
ject  of  Virgil's  ^Eneid. 

11  Orpheus  was  a   Greek  poet,   musician,   and 
philosopher.     His  beloved  wife  Eurydice  died,  and 
12* 


274  NOTES. 

the  disconsolate  husband  determined  to  descend 
to  the  regions  of  Pluto,  and  attempt  to  induce  the 
powers  of  the  lower  world  to  allow  her  to  return 
to  the  domain  of  light.  His  music  charmed  all  the 
gods  of  the  infornal  regions.  His  wife  was  re 
leased,  and  allowed  to  follow  him,  on  condition 
than  he  should  not  look  back  upon  her  until  they 
had  passed  the  confines  of  darkness.  His  impa 
tience  made  him  violate  the  conditions,  and  she 
•was  lost  to  him  for  ever. 

1S  Erebus,  in  the  old  mythology,  or  Orcus,  in 
the  ancient  Latin  religion,  was  the  region  of  dark 
ness.  They  were  the  same  as  Hades  and  Pluto 
of  the  Greeks. 

19  Milton's  Paradise  Lost,  Book  xi. 

'°  Milton's  Paradise  Lost,  Book  xi.  Euphrasy 
is  a  genus  of  plant,  sometimes  called  eye-bright. 
Rue  is  a  bitter  plant,  and  the  two  compounded, 
were  formerly  used  in  making  eye-water  to 
strengthen  the  vision. 

21  The  general  rising  of  all   the   colonies  to  re 
sistance,  after  the  meeting  of  the  first  Continental 
Congress  in  the  autumn  of  1774,  is  here  alluded 
to.     Each  colony  had  its  particular  flag. 

22  The  American  Congress  resolved,  in  the  sum 
mer  of  1775,  to  invade  Canada.     An  army  under 
General   Schuyler   went   down   Lake  Champlain  •, 
Schuyler  sickened  and  returned  to  Albany     Gene 
ral  Richard  Montgomery  took  the  command  and 
at   the  close  of  August,  he   appeared  before   St. 


NOTES.  275 

John  on  the  Sorel,  the  first  military  post  within 
the  Canadian  lines.  He  captured  the  fort  and  gar 
rison,  and  pushing  forward,  captured  Montreal,  on 
the  nothern  bank  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  on  the  13th 
of  November.  Flushed  with  success,  he  pushed 
forward  toward  his  grand  destination,  Quebec. 
He  first  besieged  and  then  attempted  to  storm 
the  city.  The  attack  was  unsuccessful,  and  there 
Montgomery  lost  his  life. 

43  In  the  summer  of  1777,  Lieutenant-general 
Burgoyne,  with  a  large  force  of  British,  Germans, 
and  Canadian  soldiers,  and  a  horde  of  Indians,  in 
vaded  New  York  by  the  way  of  Lake  Champlain. 
He  captured  Ticonderoga  in  July,  and  pressing 
forward,  reached  Saratoga  on  the  upper  Hudson, 
in  September.  The  Americans  fortified  Bemis's 
Heights  near  Stillwater,  to  oppose  him.  A  hard- 
fought  battle  occurred.  Burgoyne  was  driven 
back,  and  after  another  battle  early  in  October, 
he  was  compelled  to  surrender  his  whole  force  of 
more  than  five  thousand  men. 

84  Before  he  crossed  the  Hudson,  a  little  above 
Stillwater,  Burgoyne  was  induced  to  send  an  expe 
dition  to  Bennington  in  Vermont,  to  capture  need 
ful  stores  and  cattle,  for  his  provision  had  become 
very  scarce.  Five  hundred  Germans,  Canadians, 
and  Tories,  and  one  hundred  Indians,  all  com 
manded  by  a  German  officer,  composed  the  expedi 
tion.  Colonel  John  Stark,  with  the  New  Hamp 
shire  militia,  met  them  in  the  town  of  Hoosick,  a 


276  NOTES. 

few  miles  from  Bennington,  and  after  a  severe 
engagement,  totally  routed  the  invaders.  This 
defeat  was  a  very  severe  blow  to  Burgoyne. 

58  The  British  held  possession  of  a  strong  fort 
on  Stony  Point,  a  small  rocky  promontory,  jutting 
into  the  Hudson  river  a  few  miles  below  the  lower 
entrance  to  the  Highlands.  On  the  night  of  the 
15th  July,  1779,  General  Anthony  Wayne  led  a 
choice  band  of  soldiers  to  surprise  the  garrison. 
He  was  entirely  successful ;  and  though  severely 
wounded  in  the  head,  he  wrote  to  Washington,  on 
the  ramparts,  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  "  The 
fort  and  garrison,  with  Colonel  Johnson,  are  ours." 
It  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  events  of  the  war. 

56  After  being  driven  before  the  British  host, 
across  New  Jersey,  Washington  and  his  haudful 
of  half-starving,  half-naked  troops,  stood  shivering 
in  cold  December,  on  the  Pennsylvania  shores  of 
the  Delaware,  opposite  Trenton.  A  detachment 
of  Hessians,  under  Colonel  Kail,  occupied  that 
post.  Christmas  day  approached.  Washington 
knew  full  well  that  the  Germans  would  have  a 
carouse  on  that  day,  and  therefore  would  be 
weaker  and  less  guarded  than  usual.  On  Christ 
mas  night  he  crossed  the  Delaware  in  boats,  in 
the  midst  of  floating  ice,  eight  miles  above  Tren 
ton,  and  early  in  the  morning,  fell  upon  the  Hes 
sians  while  their  commander  was  yet  drinking 
with  boon  companions.  The  Hessians  were  cap- 
turod,  and  were  taken  across  the  river  as  prison- 


NOTES.  277 

ers.  This  bold  and  brilliant  stroke  alarmed  the 
British,  and  gave  new  courage  to  the  desponding 
Americans. 

57  Encouraged  by  his  success  at  Trenton,  Wash 
ington  resolved  to  act  on  the  offensive.  He  crossed 
the  Delaware  and  took  post  at  Trenton.  Cornwal- 
lis  marched  against  him  from  Princeton  ten  miles 
distant,  leaving  Colonel  Mawhood  in  command  of 
a  detachment  there.  Cornwallis  encamped  on  one 
side  of  a  small  stream,  opposite  the  American 
army,  on  the  evening  of  the  2d  of  January,  1777, 
intending  to  make  an  easy  capture  of  the  "  rebels  " 
in  the  morning.  During  the  night,  Washington 
secretly  withdrew  ;  and  at  dawn,  while  Cornwallis 
was  rubbing  his  opening  eyelids,  he  heard  the 
booming  of  Washington's  cannon  at  Princeton. 
At  first  he  thought  the  sound  was  thunder ;  he 
was  soon  undeceived.  The  Americans,  after  a 
severe  skirmish  at  Princeton,  defeated  and  routed 
Mawhood,  who  was  greatly  applauded  for  his  skill 
in  escaping  with  two  hundred  men.  Cornwallis 
came  to  his  assistance,  but  Washington  had  hasten 
ed  forward,  and  was  soon  far  beyond  his  reach  in 
the  hill-country  of  the  Jerseys. 

48  In  September,  1777,  the  Americans  under 
Washington,  had  a  severe  battle  with  the  British 
under  Howe  and  Cornwallis,  on  the  Brandywino 
Creek,  in  lower  Pennsylvania,  and  were  defeated 
•with  much  loss.  The  British  also  suffered  much 
losa  on  that  occasion.  Not  long  afterward  (early 


zy8  NOTES. 

in  October)  there  was  a  severe  battle  at  German« 
town,  in  which  the  Americans  and  British  lost 
many  men ;  and  during  that  month  and  November, 
many  more  were  slain  at  forts  Mifflin  and  Mercer, 
on  the  Delaware,  a  little  below  Philadelphia. 
These  events  are  alluded  to  by  the  poet. 

29  This  phraseology  reminds  us  of  the  following 
passage  in  Milton  : 

"  Have  ye  chosen  tin's  place, 
After  the  toils  of  battle,  to  repose 
Your  wearied  virtue  ;  for  the  ease  ye  find 
To  slumber  here,  as  in  the  vales  of  heaven  ?  " 

30  See  Note  24,  Canto  II. 

31  The  Scotch   Highlanders  in  North  Carolina, 
already  mentioned   in   Note   14,  Canto  IV,  were 
generally  Loyalists,  and  at  the  commencement  of 
1776,  they  were  organized,  enrolled,  and  armed  for 
the  royal   cause,   under   Donald   McDonald,  who 
was  commissioned  a  brigadier-general  by  Martin, 
the  royal  governor.     McDonald  set  up  his  stand 
ard  at  Cross  Creek   (now  Fayetteville),  and  pre 
pared  for  conflict.      The  patriot  militia  of  neigh 
boring  districts  under  Carroll,  Moore,  and  Lilling- 
ton,  marched  against  them.    They  met  on  MooreV 
Creek,  in   Hanover  county,   and  on  the  27th   of 
February,  a  severe  engagement  occurred  there.    A 
great  many  of  the  Scotchmen  were   killed,  many 
were    made   prisoners,  Mid    the    remainder    were 


NOTES.  279 

routed  and  dispersed.     Amcmg  the  prisoners  was 
the  husband  of  Flora  McDonald. 

38  In  the  autumn  of  1780,  Major  Patrick  Fer 
guson,  an  active  officer  under  Cornwallis,  was  sent 
into  the  mountain  districts  of  South  Carolina,  to 
embody  the  Tories.  Early  in  October,  he  cross 
ed  the  Broad  River  into  the  Yorkville  district, 
with  about  fifteen  hundred  Loyalists,  and  encamp 
ed  on  King's  Mountain.  Several  corps  of  Whig 
niilitia  were  united  to  oppose  him,  and  attacked  his 
camp  there  on  the  7th  of  October.  It  was  a 
bloody  conflict  ;  Ferguson  was  killed,  and  his 
party  were  totally  defeated,  with  great  loss.  This 
side-engagement  was  as  disastrous  to  Cornwallis, 
then  marching  to  invade  North  Carolina,  as  was 
that  of  Bennington  to  Burgoyne. 

3  Three  months  after  the  victory  of  the  Ameri 
cans  on  King's  Mountain,  General  Morgan  gained 
another  over  Colonel  Tarleton  at  the  Cowpeus,  in 
the  same  neighborhood.  It  was  a  very  brilliant 
affair,  and  still  more  weakened  the  power  of  Corn 
wallis.  Tarleton,  who  was  an  exceedingly  active 
officer,  managed  to  escape,  closely  pursued  by 
Colonel  William  Washington.  These  two  officers 
had  a  personal  engagement  during  the  pursuit,  and 
Tarleton  was  wounded  in  the  hand.  Afterward, 
Tarleton  was  in  the  company  of  a  witty  Whig 
lady  in  North  Carolina,  and  remarked  in  a  con 
temptuous  manner,  "  I  would  like  to  see  this  Colo 
nel  Washington  of  whom  you  speak  so  much." 


280  NOTES. 

'  Had  you  looked  behind  you  at  the  battle  of  the 
Cowpens,  you  might  have  seen  him,"  retorted  the 
lady.  Having  remarked  to  her  sister,  ':  I  under 
stand  this  Colonel  AVashington  cannot  write  his 
name,"  glancing  at  Tarle ton's  scarred  hand,  the 
lady  instantly  replied,  "  You  will  acknowledge 
that  he  knows  how  to  make  his  mark." 

34  General  Greene,  who  succeeded  General  Gates 
in  the  command  of  the  Southern  Army,  was  suc 
cessful  during  the  spring  and  summer  of  1781,  in 
gradually  driving  the  British  toward  the  seaboard. 
Marching  slowly  down  the   Santee,  he  fell  upon 
the  British  at  Eutaw  Springs,  on  the  morning  of 
the  8th  of  September.     A  bloody  battle  ensued, 
in  which  neither  party  gained  an  absolute  victory. 
It  was  disastrous  to  both,  but  especially  so  to  the 
British.     Although  they  held  the  field  at  the  end 
of  the  conflict,  they  immediately  abandoned  it,  and 
fled  percipitately  toward  Charleston. 

35  Fabius  was  a  successful  Roman  general,  and 
the  great  opponent  of  Hannibal.     He  was  remark 
able  for  his  caution.     He  made  many  marches  and 
countermarches,  and  would  never  be  drawn  into 
battle  in  a  disadvantageous  position.     Because  of 
this  system,  which  in  time  always  worked  favor 
ably,  he  was  called  "  the  delayer,"  and  was  much 
censured    by    the    young    and    reckless    officers. 
Washington  pursued  a  similar  course  throughout 
the  war,  and  with  the  same  .success;  yet  he  was 
often  censured  for  his  "  Fabian  slowness." 


NOTES.  281 

so  An  English  philosophical  writer  of  that  name, 
carried  the  ideal  system  of  Locke  so  far  as  to  deny 
the  existence  of  matter. 

37  This  is  in  allusion  to  the  oft-repeated  asser 
tions  in  parliamentary  resolves,  in  speeches  from 
the  throne  and  the  people,  and  in  proclamations, 
that  Britain  was  omnipotent. 

33  These  two  lines  are  omitted  in  the  revised 
editions  of  1820  ;  and  the  last  one  preceding  them 
was  altered  so  as  to  read 

"  Absent  from  home,  or  fast  asleep?  " 

39  The  boast  of  British  orators  of  that  day. 

40  Thus  British  orators  and  writers  alluded  to 
Great  Britain  oftentimes  with  much   display  of 
pompous  declamation. 

41  There  was  an  English  ballad,  very  famous  and 
much  sung  at  that  time,  in  which  Neptune  (styled 
The   Watry  God)  is  made,  with  great  deference, 
to  surrender  his  trident  to  King  George,  and  to 
acknowledge  him  as  monarch  and    ruler  of  the 
ocean.     A  hundred  years  before,  Waller  wrote  : 

"  They  that  the  whole  world's  monarchy  design'd, 
Are  to  their  ports  by  our  bold  fleet  contin'd, 
From  whence  our  red  cross  they  triumphant  see, 
Riding  without  a  rival  on  the  sea." 

And  again, 

"  Others  may  use  the  ocean  as  their  road, 
Only  the  English  make  it  their  abode." 


282  NOTES. 

**  See  Note  47,  Canto  I. 

43  The  Erse  was  the  ancient  language  of  Scot 
land.     See  Note  5,  Canto  I. 

44  The  old  poets  aver  that  Thetis,  the  mother  of 
Achilles,    desirous  of  making    him    invulnerable, 
plunged  his  whole  body  into  the  river  Styx  (the 
water  that  divides  mortality  from    immortality), 
except  his  heel,  by  which  she  held  him.     Tradition 
asserts  that  he  was  finally  slain  by  an  arrow  which 
penetrated  his  heel.     There  are  various  traditions 
and  myths  concerning  this  celebrated  hero  of  the 
Trojan  War. 

43  A  kibe  is  a  chap  or  crack  occasioned  by  cold> 
or  an  ulcerated  chilblain,  as  in  the  heels. 

46  Paris  was  a  son  of  Priam,  king  of  Troy,  and 
was  regarded  as  the  cause  of  the  ruin  of  his  coun 
try,  as  predicted  by  .ZEsacus,  the  soothsayer,  at 
his  birth.  He  seduced  and  carried  to  Troy,  Helen, 
the  beautiful  wife  of  Menelaus,  king  of  Crete. 
This  outrage  led  to  the  siege  of  Troy,  its  fall,  and 
the  fulfilment  of  the  predictions  of  ^sacus.  Tra 
dition  relates  that  Paris  hurled  the  fatal  arrow 
into  the  heel  of  Achilles. 

41  Job,  chapter  ii. 

4s  The  poet  here  alludes  to  the  popular  scandal 
concerning  the  intimacy  of  General  William  Howe 
with  the  wife  of  Joshua  Loring,  the  commissary 
of  prisoners,  mentioned  in  Note  91,  Canto  I.     But 
ler,  in  his  .Hudibras,  says  in  similar  words: 
'•  The  sun  had  long  since,  in  the  lap 
Of  Thetis,  taken  out  his  nap  " 


.    NOTES.  285 

49  On  Sunday  evening,  March  8,  1776,  General 
Thomas,  with  two  thousand  men,  and  proper  en 
trenching  tools,  cattle  and  carts,  went  secretly  to 
Dorchester  Heights  (now   in   South   Boston),  and 
there,  in  the  bright  moonlight,  unobserved  by  the 
British  in  the  city,  they  piled  up  huge  fortifica 
tions   before    the  dawn,  under   the   direction  of 
Richard   Gridley,  a  veteran  engineer.     At  break 
of  day,  the  breastworks  were  sufficiently  high  to 
afford  ample  protection  to  the  Americans.     Howe, 
overwhelmed  with   astonishment,  exclaimed  when 
he  saw  those  formidable  works,  "  What  shall  I  do  ? 
The  rebels  have  done  more  in  one  night  than  my 
whole  army  would  have  done  in  a  month  !  "    They 
had  even  done  more  than  pile  up  the  earth — they 
had  placed  cannons  upon  those  mounds,  and  with 
these  commanded  the  town  and  harbor  of  Boston. 
From  that  moment,  Howe  sought  means  for  es 
cape,  and  finally,  through  the  wisdom  and  leniency 
of  Washington,  he  was  allowed   to  sail  away  for 
Halifax,  unmolested,  and  followed  by  more  than 
three  thousand  Loyalists,   who  dared  not  brave 
the  indignation  of  the  victorious  Patriots. 

50  The  Titans  are  described  by  the  ancient  poets 
as  giants,  sons  of  the  earth,  who  rebelled   against 
Jupiter,  the  supreme  ruler  of  the  universe.     They 
heaped   mountains  upon   mountains,   in  order  to 
scale  Olympus,  on  whose   apex  was  the  throne  of 
Jupiter.     They  were  driven  back,  discomfited  bj 
the  thunders  of  Jove  and  the  arrows  of  Apollo. 


284  NOTES. 

51  Alluding  to  the  hasty  departure  of  the  British 
from  Boston,  when  Howe  perceived  that  he  could 
no  longer  keep  it.  Although  Washington  had 
tacitly  consented,  on  the  application  of  Howe,  to 
allow  him  to  depart  unmolested,  yet  great  terror 
pervaded  the  ranks  of  the  enemy,  and  the  house 
holds  of  the  Tories.  They  all  went  on  board  the 
ships  on  Sunday  morning,  March  17th  ;  and  on  the 
same  day  the  deserted  city  was  taken  possession 
of  by  General  Putnam  in  the  name  of  the  Thir 
teen  United  Colonies. 

M  This  is  an  allusion  to  the  cities  of  refuge 
among  the  Jews,  in  which,  if  a  murderer  or  other 
criminal  could  reach  before  arrest,  he  was  safe 
from  punishment.  The  city  of  refuge  here  alluded 
to  was  Halifax,  in  Nova  Scotia,  to  which  the 
British  army  fled. 

53  This  was  the  victorious  army  of  Burgoyne, 
which,  after  capturing  Ticonderoga  and  Mount  In 
dependence,  gained  a  victory  at  Hubbardton,  and 
destroyed  the  American  stores  at  Skenesborough, 
now  Whitehall,  at  the  head  of  Lake  Champlain. 
Then,   flushed   with    these    successes,    Burgoyne 
marched  slowly,  but  unimpeded  by  American  arms 
through  the  wilderness  toward  the  Hudson  River. 
The  people  of  that  region  fled  in  terror,  for  they 
dreaded  the  savages  who  accompanied  the  invaders- 

54  The  manner  of  "  hiving  "  bees,  to  which  this 
is  an  allusion,  is  mentioned  in  Note  8,  Canto  I. 

65  The  rape  of  Lucretia,  by  Sextus  Tarquinius, 


NOTES.  285 

is  given  in  the  old  legends  as  the  proximate  cause 
of  the  downfall  of  kingly  power  in  Rome.  The 
tragic  result  of  the  outrage  caused  Brutus  to 
swear,  by  the  pure  blood  which  incarnadined  a 
dagger  with  which  Lucretia  had  stabbed  hers*clf, 
that  he  would  pursue  to  the  uttermost  Tarquinius 
and  all  his  race,  and  thenceforward  suffer  no  man 
to  be  king  at  Rome.  The  aroused  people  gathered 
together,  and  passed  a  decree  to  the  same  effect, 
and  Tarquin  the  Superb  was  banished.  Such  is 
the  legend,  which  sober  historians  doubt. 

w  See  Note  20,  Canto  III. 

51  This  has  reference  to  the  death  of  General 
Fraser,  during  the  first  battle  on  Bemis's  Heights. 
Fraser  was  a  gallant  officer,  and  was  mounted  on 
a  splendid  iron-gray  horse.  He  was  dressed  in 
full  uniform,  and  made  a  conspicuous  mark.  Colo 
nel  Daniel  Morgan,  commander  of  the  celebrated 
rifle  corps,  perceived  that  the  fate  of  the  battle  de 
pended  upon  Fraser,  and  he  ordered  his  riflemen 
to  shoot  him.  As  was  afterward  ascertained,  a 
rifle-ball  first  cut  the  crupper  of  Fraser's  horse, 
and  soon  another  passed  through  his  horse's  mane. 
Fraser's  aid  noticed  it  and  said,  "  It  is  evident 
that  you  are  marked  out  for  particular  aim  ;  would 
it  not  be  prudent  for  you  to  retire  from  this  place  ?  " 
Fraser  replied,  "  My  duty  forbids  me  to  fly  from 
danger*  "  and  the  next  moment  he  fell,  mortally 
wounded  by  a  ball  from  the  rifle  of  Timothy  Mur- 


286  NOTES. 

phy,  one  of  Morgan's  men,  who  took  sure  aim  from 
a  small  tree  into  which  he  had  mounted. 

68  "Loose  his  beard  and  hoary  hair, 

Streamed  like  a  meteor  to  the  troubled  air." — GRAY. 

•  . 

59  Judges  xv.  15. 

60  After  Burgoyne  had  surrendered  his  army  at 
Saratoga,  and  the  terms  of  the  capitulation  were 
agreed  upon  and  settled,  the  prisoners,   English 
and  Hessian,  started  under  guard  across  the  coun 
try  to  Cambridge.     They  commenced  the  march 
to  the  tune  of  Yankee  Doodle,  which  they  had  so 
often  heard  in  derision  in  the  British  camp.     The 
pride  of  Burgoyne  was  dreadfully  humbled  by  the 
whole  affair.      He  had  declared  that  he  would  eat 
his  Christmas  dinner  in  Albany,  as  a  victor.     He 
dined  there  sooner  than  Christmas,  but  as  a  pris 
oner,  although   a  guest   at   the.  table  of  General 
Schuyler,  whom  he  had  greatly  injured,  by  causing 
his  house,  mills,  and  other  property  at  Saratoga,  to 
be  burned. 

61  This  allusion  to  Burgoyne's  foppery  is  a  very 
happy  one,  as  the  young  men  of  fashion  who  com 
posed  the  Macaroni   Club  had  very  recently  pro 
duced  a  great  sensation   in  England.     They  were 
young  men  who  had  travelled    in  Italy,  and  had 
returned,  bringing  with   them  all  the  vices  and 
follies  which   they  had  picked  up   there.     They 
formed  their  club  in  London  in   1772,  and  were 
particularly  distinguished  for   their   extravagance 


NOTES.  287 

in  dress.  They  wore  enormous  knots  of  hair  be 
hind,  an  exceedingly  small  cocked  hat,  an  enor 
mous  walking-stick  with  long  tassels,  and  jacket, 
waistcoat,  and  breeches,  cut  very  close.  Soon 
every  thing  that  was  fashionable  was  a  la  Maca 
roni.  Macaroni  articles  everywhere  abounded, 
and  Macaroni  songs  were  set  to  Macaroni  music. 
One  song  closed  with  this  stanza : 

"Five  pounds  of  hair  they  wear  behind, 

The  ladies  to  delight,  0, 
Their  senses  give  unto  the  wind, 

To  make  themselves  a  fright,  0. 
The  fashion  who  does  e'er  pursue, 

I  think  a  simple-toney  ; 
For  he's  a  fool,  say  what  you  will, 

Who  is  a  Macaroni." 

The  word  macaroni  took  the  place  of  beau  and 
fribble,  which  had  been  given  previously  to  men 
of  fashion. 

*-  See  Note  66,  Canto  II.  Bellona  was  the  ac- 
compl.ished  goddess  of  war. 

63  General  Burgoyne  was  a  natural  son  of  Lord 
Bingley,  and  was  not  only  a  successful  soldier,  but 
a  polished  gentleman.  He  was  a  brigadier  in  Por 
tugal  in  1762.  He  was  afterward  a  privy  coun 
cillor,  and  when  he  came  to  America  in  1775,  and 
while  a  prisoner  of  war  in  1777,  he  was  a  member 
of  the  British  Parliament.  His  misfortunes  here 
deprived  him  of  the  sunshine  of  the  royal  counte 
nance  ;  and  in  1780,  after  publishing  his  viudica- 


288  NOTES. 

tion,  he  resigned  all  offices  and  their  emoluments 
and  in  1781  joined  the  opposition  in  Parliament, 
in  favor  of  the  Americans.  From  that  time  until 
his  death,  in  August,  1792,  he  was  chiefly  em 
ployed  in  literary  pursuits,  in  which  he  delighted. 

64  When   setting   out  for    America,    Burgoyne 
playfully  remarked  that  he  meant  to  dance  the 
Whig  ladies  to  obedience,  and  their  husbands  would 
soon  follow      In  this,  as  in  many  other  things,  the 
British  officers   were   disappointed.      Howe   and 
Clinton,  and  some  of  their  subordinates,  expected 
to  "  crush  the  rebellion  "  in  a  week  almost ;  and 
they  actually  brought  fishing-tackle  with  them,  to 
have  some  fine  sport  after  the  smoke  of  gunpowder 
had  cleared  away. 

65  Burgoyne's  proclamations,  like  those  of  Gage, 
were  very  pompous.      He    was   fond   of  making 
them,  for  he  always  delighted  in  the  use  of  his 
pen.     While  in  Boston,  during  the  siege,  he  wrote 
a  farce  called  Boston  Blockaded,  in  which  the  per 
son  designed  to  represent  Washington  enters  with 
uncouth  gait,  wearing  a  large  wig,  a  long,  rusty 
sword,  and  attended  by  a  country  servant  with  a 
rusty  gun.     Other   American   officers  were  simi 
larly  burlesqued.     While  this  farce  was  in  course 
of  performance  in  the  temporary  theatre  in   Bos 
ton,  on  the  night  of  the  8th  of  January,  1776,  a 
sergeant  suddenly  entered  and  exclaimed,  "  The 
Yankees  are   attacking  our   works   on    Bunker's 
Hill !  "     The  audience  thought  this  was  part  of 


NOTES.  289 

the  play,  and  laughed  immoderately  at  the  idea ; 
but  they  were  soon  undeceived  by  the  burly  voice 
of  Howe  shouting,  "  Officers,  to  your  alarm-posts  !" 
The  people  were  dispersed  in  great  confusion. 
The  fact  was,  that  Majors  Knowlton,  Carey,  and 
Henly,  three  gallant  American  officers,  had  crossed 
the  mill-dam  from  Cobble  Hill,  and  had  set  fire 
to  some  houses  in  Charlestown,  at  the  foot  of 
Bunker's  Hill,  occupied  by  some  British  soldiers. 
They  burned  eight  houses,  killed  one  man,  and 
carried  off  five  prisoners. 

66  Matthew  Prior  wrote   his   Alma,  the  best  of 
his  works,  while  in  confinement   in  the  Tower  of 
London. 

67  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  wrote  his  famous  History 
of  the    World,  while  confined  in  the  Tower  on  a 
charge  of  treason.     The  first  volume  appeared  in 
1614. 

68  John  Wilkes,  already  mentioned  in  Note  88, 
Canto  III,  was  a  fearless  political  writer  during  the 
early  years  of  the  reign  of  George  the  Third,  and 
for   a   long   time   he  was   editor  of   The   North 
Britain.     In  the  45th  number  of  that  paper,  pub 
lished  in  1763,  he  uttered  sentiments  considered 
libellous,  and  he  was  sent  to  the  Tower.     His  ar 
rest  was  proved  to  be  illegal,  and  he  was  released. 
For  several  years,  as  editor,  as  alderman  in  Lon 
don,  and  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons, 
he  was  considered  a  very  dangerous  enemy  to  the 
crown.      Wilkes    was    a    liceutious,    unprincipled 


290  NOTES. 

man ;  and  because  he  wrote  an  indecent  Essay  nn 
Woman,  he  was  arraigned  before  the  King's 
Bench,  and,  upon  conviction,  was  expelled  from 
Parliament.  He  afterward  obtained  a  verdict 
against  Wood,  the  uuder-secretary  of  state,  with 
$5,000  damages,  and  soon  went  to  Paris  He  re 
turned  to  England,  was  elected  to  the  House  of 
Commons  in  1768,  but  was  deprived  of  his  seat. 
He  became  Lord  Mayor  of  London  in  1774,  when 
he  took  his  seat  in  the  House  of  Commons,  and  was 
the  friend  of  the  Americans.  He  was  afterward 
Chamberlain  of  London.  Wilkes  flourished  but  in 
the  midst  of  agitation.  When  out  of  the  troubled 
sea  of  politics,  he  sunk  into  obscurity,  and  died 
in  the  Isle  of  Wight,  in  1797,  at  the  age  of  70 
years. 

69  General  Prescott  was  twice  made  prisoner, 
during  the  Revolution.  The  first  time  he  was 
captured  at  Montreal  by  Montgomery,  near  the 
close  of  1775 ;  and  the  second  time  he  was  seized 
in  his  rooms,  while  in  command  of  the  British  on 
Rhode  Island,  in  July,  1777,  taken  to  the  Head- 
Quarters  of  the  American  army,  and  afterward 
exchanged  for  General  Charles  Lee,  who  had  been 
captured  in  New  Jersey  in  December  previous. 
Colonel  William  Barton,  with  a  few  men  in  whale- 
boats,  crossed  Narragansett  Bay  in  the  night,  for 
the  purpose  of  seizing  Prescott,  who  was  a  petty  ty 
rant  of  the  meanest  stamp.  He  was  taken  from  his 
bedroom,  conveyed  across  to  Warwick,  and  from 


NOTES.  2/j  i 

thence  to  Providence,  and  afterward  to  Head- 
Quarters.  A  full  account  of  the  affair,  with  a 
portrait  of  Barton  and  a  picture  of  the  house  from 
which  Prescott  was  taken,  may  be  found  in  Los- 
sing's  Pictorial  Field  Book  of  the  Revolution. 

70  Here  again  is  an  allusion  to  Burgoyne's  farce 
of  The  Siege  of  Boston.  The  Maid  of  the  Oaks 
was  another  farce  from  his  pen,  which  was  much 
thought  of,  and  was  often  performed  in  the 
English  theatres.  He  also  wrote  a  comedy  en 
titled  The  Heiress,  which  had  great  reputation. 
Some  critics  have  pronounced  it  one  of  the  best 
productions  of  the  modern  British  drama. 

11  This  refers  to  the  cruelties  toward  prisoners, 
charged  to  Joshua  Loring,  the  commissary.  If 
the  stories  related  of  his  inhumanity  to  those  who 
fell  into  his  hands  were  true,  he  was  even  worse 
than  the  detested  Cunningham,  the  keeper  of  the 
Provost  prison  in  New  York.  The  Vampyre  was 
a  creation  of  superstition,  a  belief  in  which  pre 
vailed  extensively  among  many  nations  in  Europe. 
It  was  pretended  to  be  a  dead  body,  which  arose 
from  the  grave  at  night,  and  sucked  the  blood  of 
the  living. 

"'*  "  a  place 

Before  his  eyes  appeared,  sad,  noisome,  dark, 

A  Lnzar-house  it  seemed Despair 

Tended  the  sick,  busiest  from  couch  to  couch, 
And  over  them  triumphant  Death  his  dart 
SLook,  but  delayed  to  strike." 

Alilton's  Paradise  Lost,  Book  XL 


292  NOTES. 

73  Murder  was  thus  spelled  in  former  times. 

74  Sir  Guy   Carleton  was  a  very  humane  m-an 
After  the  unfortunate  attack  of  the  Americans  on 
Quebec,    at    the   close    of  1775,   he    treated   the 
"  rebel  "  prisoners  with  great  humanity,  and  final 
ly  paroled  them. 

75  It  has  been  asserted,  and  not  denied,  that 
after  the  battle  near  Brooklyn,  on  Long  Island, 
Howe  and  Clinton  both  allowed  their  troops,  and 
especially  the  Hessians,  to  tie  up  American  prison 
ers  and  use  them  for  marks  to  fire  at.     The  excuse 
was  that  such   treatment  would  keep  the  people 
from  joining  the  rebel  army,  and  thus  the  rebel 
lion  would  be  sooner  ended  !  " 

76  Among  other  measures  to  distress  the  people, 
great  pains  were  taken   by  the  British  in   New 
York,  to  communicate  the  small-pox  throughout 
the  country,  and  especially  to  the  American  army. 
At  that  time  Jenuer  had  just  announced,  in  Eng 
land,  his  great  discovery  of  vaccination,  but  it  was 
not  practised  iu  America  until  about  the  close  of 
the  Revolution.    Inoculation  was  resorted  to ;  and 
while  the  army  lay  in  the  Highlands  in  1781  the 
soldiers  were  inoculated  by  companies. 

77  After  the  battles  on   Long  Island  and  Fort 
Washington,  where  a  great  many  Americans  were 
made  prisoners,  the  places  of  confinement  on  ship 
board  and*  in  New  York  were   crowded  with  the 
captives.      Impure  air  and   food   soon    caused  a 
terrible  mortality   among  them.      They  died  by 


NOTES.  293 

scores,  and  the  disease  known  as  the  pi  isori-fever, 
similar  to  that  of  the  ship  fever  of  our  day,  be 
came  apparently  contagious.  The  British  endea 
vored  to  infect  the  American  camp  with  the  dis 
ease.  A  multitude  of  Americans  perished  on  board 
the  old  Jersey  and  other  prison-ships  in  the  har 
bor  of  New  York,  and  in  the  old  sugar-houses  in 
the  city,  which,  being  strong  and  large,  were  con 
verted  into  jails. 

78  Judges.  Chapter  iv. 

79  Punic  was  the  ancient   language  of  the  Car 
thaginians  ;  and  the  contests  in  which  the  Romans 
and  that  people  were  involved,  during  more  than 
three   centuries,   were   called    Panic   Wars.     The 
Carthaginians  were  so  notoriously  treacherous,  and 
unfaithful,  that  the  Romans  made   the   expression 
Punica   Fides — Punic    Faith — synonymous   with 
unfaithfulness  to  promises. 

88  Ammon  or  Hammon  was  the  name  given  to 
Jupiter,  as  worshipped  in  Libya,  in  Africa.  He 
is  represented  with  the  head  and  horns  of  a  ram, 
because  a  legend  asserts  that  when  the  army  under 
Bacchus  was  in  Africa,  and  about  to  perish  for 
want  of  water,  a  ram  appeared  and  guided  them 
to  an  oasis  where  it  was  found  in  abundance. 
Bacchus  erected  a  temple  to  Jupiter  on  the  spot, 
and  gave  the  impersonation  of  the  deity  the  form 
above  mentioned.  The  poet  thought  Loring  a  fit 
priest,  because  (again  alluding  to  the  unfaithfulness 
of  the  commissary's  wife)  the  Libyan  Aramon 
wore  horns. 


294  NOTES. 

"'  Bel  or  Baal  was  an  ancient  Chaldean  idol, 
mentioned  by  both  Isaiah  and  Jeremiah.  Baal  is 
also  mentioned  in  the  Book  of  Numbers,  Judges, 
and  Kings.  It  is  said  to  have  devoured  enormous 
quantities  of  food  daily,  which  the  people  supplied, 
and  which,  of  course,  the  priests  and  their  friends 
consumed. 

62  Moloch  was  the  chief  idol  of  the  Ammonites, 
in  Canaan,  and  is  mentioned  in  the  eleventh  chap 
ter  of  1  Kings.  The  idol  was  made  of  brass, 
seated  on  a  throne  of  the  same  metal,  with  the 
head  of  a  calf,  and  a  crown  on  it.  Parents  often 
sacrificed  their  children  to  this  divinity.  It  was 
heated  by  fire  beneath,  and  when  tlie  children 
were  put  into  its  hot  brazen  arms,  they  rolled  into 
the  idol  and  were  consumed.  Bullocks  and  other 
animals  were  also  offered  to  Moloch  in  sacrifice. 

83  See    Rabelais's   history    of  the    Giant    Gar- 
gantua. 

84  Jonah,  Chapter  i. 

83  Genesis,  Chapter  xli. 

88  This  sentence  refers  to  the  alleged  cruelties 
of  Lord  Clive  (who  was  governor  first  of  Fort  St. 
David,  and  then  of  Bengal  in  the  East  Indies) 
toward  the  native  inhabitants,  whom,  as  military 
commander,  he  conquered.  By  his  exploits  he 
gained  the  title  of  Omrah  of  the  Mogul  Empire, 
an  Irish  peerage  and  immense  wealth.  He  re 
tired  to  England  in  1767,  and  in  November,  1773, 
he  committed  suicide  by  cutting  his  throat.  The 


NOTES.  295 

''  Black  Hole  "  referred  to,  was  a  dungeon  m  Cal 
cutta,  where,  on  the  20th  of  June,  1756,  the  Na 
bob  or  chief  man  confined  one  hundred  and  forty- 
six  British  gentlemen — merchants  and  others  in 
the  service  of  the  East  India  Company,  in  a  room 
only  eighteen  feet  square.  The  heat,  crushing, 
and  stench  of  the  dungeon,  caused  the  death  of 
one  hundred  and  twenty-three  of  the  prisoners  be 
fore  morning.  It  was  the  Provost  prison  (now 
Hall  of  Records)  in  New  York,  and  especially  the 
sugar  house  in  Liberty  street,  and  the  Jersey 
prison  ship,  which  the  poet  here  alludes  to  in  the 
comparison. 

87  The  various  districts  of  the  East  Indies  were 
governed  by  wealthy  subordinate  rulers  called 
Nabobs.  It  has  become  a  term  significant  of  a 
very  wealthy  man. 

83  In  the  latter  part  of  his  life  Lord  Clive  con 
ceived  himself  haunted  by  the  ghosts  of  those  per 
sons  in  the  East,  who  were  the  victims  of  his  inhu 
manity.  Notwithstanding  the  alleged  cruelties 
of  Clive  were  not  doubted  by  the  British  nation, 
the  then  corrupt  Parliament,  before  whom  he  was 
accused,  awarded  him  a  vote  of  thanks  for  his  ser 
vices  in  the  East  Indies.  But 

"Conscience  makes  cowards  of  us  all." 

89  These  three  commanders  were  famous  during 
portions  of  the  war,  for  their  marauding  services. 
•"  Judges,  Chapter  xv. 


296  N  O  T  E  S. 

91  We  have  already  referred  to  the  ravages  of 
Tryon  and  others  on  the  New  England  coasts, 
and  to  the  operations  of  Lord  Dunmore  in  Virginia. 
In  South  Carolina,  likewise,  many  negroes  were 
taken  from  the  plantations,  by  marauding  parties, 
and  those  who  did  not  perish  were  sent  to  the 
West  Indies  and  sold.  And  every  -where,  espe 
cially  during  the  earlier  years  of  the  war,  before 
the  opportunities  which  the  Americans  obtained 
for  retaliation  had  taught  the  British  and  Hessian 
troops  circumspection,  they  committed  the  most, 
outrageous  crimes. 

t2  The  King  and  Parliament  were  both  long  de 
ceived  by  the  reports  of  expected  aids  from  the 
Tories  sent  over  by  the  military  commanders  here. 
Indeed,  it  was  believed  by  the  ministry,  even  as 
late  as  the  time  of  the  capture  of  Burgoyne,  that 
the  wiiig  party  was  a  very  small  one,  and  that  the 
great  body  of  the  people  of  the  colonies  were  loyal, 
when  fear  of  the  violent  patriots  would  allow  them 
to  be  so.  The  fact  was  the  reverse  of  this. 

93  In  February,  1778,  Lord  North  proposed  in 
parliament,  a  conciliatory  plan,  which,  he  thought, 
would  end  all  difficulties  with  the  colonies.  He 
proposed  to  repeal  all  obnoxious  acts  of  parlia 
ment,  if  the  Americans  would  rescind  their  Dec 
laration  of  Independence,  and  return  to  the  loyalty 
of  loving  colonists.  The  proposition  was  in  the 
form  of  two  bills.  These  bills  arrived  in  America 
about  the  middle  of  April.  They  were  looked 


NOTES.  297 

npon  with  suspicion,  and  were  called  "  deception- 
ary  bills."  Congress  refused  to  accede  to  the 
terms  offered  in  these  bills,  because  the  independ 
ence  of  the  colonies  was  not  guarantied.  Com 
missioners  to  negotiate  with  Congress,  in  accord 
ance  with  North's  proposition,  arrived  in  June. 
They  were  the  Earl  of  Carlisle,  George  Johnstone, 
formerly  governor  of  West  Florida,  and  William 
Eden,  a  brother  of  the  then  .late  governor  of  Mary 
land.  They  were  accompanied  by  the  eminent 
Adam  Ferguson,  as  secretary.  The  proceedings 
of  Congress,  before  the  arrival  of  the  Commis 
sioners,  had  barred  the  door  effectually  to  all 
negotiations,  and  they  found  their  "  occupation 
gone." 

—  "  medicatam  frugibus  offam."  See 
an  account  of  the  descent  of  ^Eneas  into  hell,  in 
Virgil's  ^Eneid,  Book  vi. 

95  When  the  commissioners  found  they  could  do 
nothing  officially,  Johnstone  determined  to  try  the 
power  of  money  and  place,  by  offering  such  bribes 
to  public  men.     Because   of  his  notoriously  cor 
rupt  conduct,  the  Congress  declared  that  no  inter 
course  should  be  had  with  him.     Yet  he  persisted, 
flattering  some  and  boldly  approaching  others  with 
promises  of  royal  favor. 

96  rpke  «  petticoated  politician  '  here  alluded  to, 
Was  an  American  lady,  daughter  of  Dr.  Thomas 
Graeme   of  Pennsylvania,   and   then   the  wife  of 
Hugh  Ferguson,  a  relation  of  the  secretary  of  the 

13* 


298  NOTES. 

commissioner.  Her  husband  being  in  the  British 
service,  she  was  much  in  the  company  of  Loyalists. 
Being  a  woman  of  superior  attainments,  and  ac 
quainted  with  many  leading  men  in  Congress, 
Johnstone  succeeded  in  making  her  an  unconscious 
instrument  of  his  corrupt  efforts.  He  first  spoke  to 
her  warmly  in  favor  of  American  interests,  and  she 
believed  him  to  be  a  true  friend  of  her  country. 
He  expressed  a  strong  desire  to  stop  the  effusion 
of  blood,  and  intimated  that,  if  a  proper  representa 
tion  could  be  made  to  leading  men  in  Congress,  a  re 
conciliation  might  yet  be  effected.  Her  womanly 
sympathies  were  aroused,  and  Johustone,  who  was 
not  permitted  to  go  within  the  American  lines, 
desired  Mrs.  Ferguson  to  say  to  General  Joseph 
Reed  that,  provided  he  could,  conformably  to  his 
conscience  and  views  of  things,  exert  his  influence 
to  settle  the  dispute,  he  might  command  ten  thou 
sand  guineas  and  the  best  post  in  government. 
Mrs.  Fergusou  suggested  that  such  a  proposition 
would  be  considered  as  a  bribe  by  General  Reed. 
Johnstone  disclaimed  the  idea ;  and,  convinced  of 
his  sincerity  and  good  will,  she  sought  an  inter 
view  with  General  Reed,  three  days  after  the 
British  evacuated  Philadelphia,  and  laid  the  pro 
position  before  him.  Reed  afterward  declared, 
that  he  at  once  exclaimed,  "  My  influence  is  but 
small,  but  were  it  as  great  as  Governor  Johnstone 
would  insinuate,  the  King  of  Great  Britain  has 
nothing  within  his  gift  that  would  tempt  me." 


NOTES.  299 

This  attempt  at  bribery  was  soon  made  known 
to  the  public.  .The  alleged  reply  of  General  Reed 
went  from  lip  to  lip ;  the  commissioners  were  every 
where  denounced,  and  poor  Mrs.  Ferguson,  the 
innocent  dupe  of  a  corrupt  hireling,  was  accused  of 
being  a  British  emissary.  She  outlived  all  sus 
picions,  however. 

97  Benedict  Arnold's  services  against  his   gov 
ernment  were  actually  purchased  for  ten  thousand 
guineas  and  the  commission  of  a  brigadier  in  the 
British  army.      This  was  the  stipulated  considera 
tion  for    the  betrayal  of  the   strong  fortress    at 
West  Point  and  its  dependencies,  into  the  hands 
of  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  in  September,  1780.      He 
failed  in  his  wicked  purpose,  escaped  to  the  enemy, 
received  his  reward,  and  performed  eminent  ma 
rauding  services  for  his  royal  master,  during  the 
remainder  of  the  war.     Arnold  had  been  a  brave, 
skilful,  and  exceedingly  useful  officer  before   his 
fall. 

98  It  was  very  fortunate  for  the  Americans,  that 
inefficient  men  like  the  brothers  Howe  commanded 
the  British  land  and  naval  forces  at  the  commence 
ment  of  the  Revolution.     General  Howe,  in  par 
ticular,  always  moved    slowly,  and  when  he  had 
gained  a  victory,  he  almost  always  lost  the  advan 
tages  of  it  by  supineness.     Such  was  the  case  after 
his   victory  near  Brooklyn.      The  really  captive 
army  of  Washington  within  the  American  lines 
escaped  to  New  York,  while  Howe  was  sleeping 


300  NOTES. 

and  yet,  for  his  victory  on  that  occasion,  he  was 
knighted  and  became  Sir  William  Howe.  He  re 
mained  in  Philadelphia  after  he  had  captured  it 
in  the  autumn  of  1777,  for  many  months,  with  a 
well-provisioned  and  well-furnished  army,  while 
the  half-starved,  half-clad,  and  feeble  force.of  the 
Americans  were  shivering  and  famishing  at  Valley 
Forge,  only  twenty  miles  distant.  Yet  he  made 
no  attempt  at  what  might  have  been  an  easy  cap 
ture  of  the  whole.  His  idle  army  in  the  city  be 
came  greatly  weakened  by  inactivity  and  dissipa 
tion.  Dr,  Franklin  justly  observed,  <;  Howe  has 
not  taken  Philadelphia;  Philadelphia  has  taken 
Howe."  The  acute  Colonel  Hamilton,  young  as 
he  was,  said  to  General  Washington,  when  that 
officer  was  regretting  his  failure  in  capturing 
Howe, — "  For  my  part  I  am  glad  of  it,  for  Great 
Britain  might  have  sent  a  more  active  man  in  his 
place." 

99  The  Continental  Congress  held  its  session  at 
York,  Pennsylvania,  while  the  British  held  posses 
sion  of  Philadelphia  during  the  winter  and  spring 
of  1778.  In  May,  after  being  honored  by  a  re 
markable  fete  called  Mischianza,  iu  the  prepara 
tion  of  which  the  unfortunate  Major  Andre  was 
the  principal  actor,  General  Howe  resigned  the 
command  of  the  army  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton  and 
returned  to  England.  He  was  severely  censured 
by  Burgoyne  and  other  military  men,  and  some 
spicy  correspondence,  statements,  &c.,  ensued. 


NOTES.  ^of 

Howe  was  a  good-natm-ed,  full-fed,  heavy,  indolent 
man — "  the  most  indolent  of  mortals,"  according 
to  General  Charles  Lee,  who  averred  that  he 
"  never  took  pains  to  examine  the  merits  or  de 
merits  of  the  cause  in  which  he  was  engaged." 
Howe  jmblished  a  narrative  of  his  campaigns  in 
America,  the  style  of  which  partakes  largely  of 
the  sluggishness  of  his  character.  He  died 
in  1814. 

100  This  was  Sir  Henry  Clinton.     He  was  grand 
son   of  Francis,  sixth    Earl  of  Lincoln,  and  was 
Knight  of  the  Bath.     He  came  to  America  just 
before  the   Battle  of  Bunker    Hill,  and  remained 
until  near  the  close  of  the  war.     Clinton  was  quite 
an  active  officer,  yet  not  a  very  skilful  one.     Soon 
after  his  return  home,  he  published  a  narrative  of 
his  campaigns  in  1781-83,  which  Lord  Cornwallis, 
another  of  the  British  commanders   here,  thought 

i  O 

it  necessary  to  answer.  To  this  Clinton  made  a 
reply.  Clinton  was  Governor  of  Gibraltar  in 
1795,  and  the  same  year  he  was  elected  a  member 
of  parliament.  He  died  the  following  year. 

101  Soon   after   taking   command  of  the   British 
army    in    America,    Sir    Henry    Clinton  was   in 
formed  that   a  powerful  French  fleet,  under  the 
Count  D'Estaing,  was  on  its  way,  and  would  prob 
ably  block  up  and  perhaps  capture  the  British  ves 
sels  in  the  Delaware  under  the  command  of  Earl 
Howe,  and  thus   secure  New  York.     He  immedi 
ately  resolved  to  evacuate   Philadelphia  and   the 


30*  NOTES. 

Delaware,  and  hasten  with  army  and  fleet  to  Ne\* 
York.  With  eleven  thousand  men  and  an  im 
mense  baggage  and  provision  train  he  started  foi 
New  York,  by  way  of  New  Brunswick.  Wash 
ington,  at  Valley  Forge,  was  on  the  alert,  and 
commenced  a  pursuit  of  Clinton  with  a  more  than 
equal  force.  By  the  adroit  movement  of  detach 
ments,  he  compelled  Clinton  to  change  his  course 
in  the  direction  of  Sandy  Hook. 

102  Clinton  was  sore  pressed  by  his  pursuers,  and 
the  New  Jersey  militia  greatly  annoyed  him  on 
the    flanks.     Finally    he   was   obliged   to   halt   at 
Momnouth     Court-House,    (now    Freehold,    New 
Jersey,)  change  front,  and   engage   in   a  general 
battle  with  the  Americans.     The  engagement  com 
menced  quite  early  on  Sunday  morning,  the  28th 
day  of  June,  1778.    It  was  one  of  the  hottest  dajs 
ever  experienced  in   that  latitude.     All   day  the 
conflict  raged,  and  night  only  put  an  end  to   it. 
Both  parties  slept  on  their  arms,  the  Americans, 
under  Washington,  intending  to  renew  the  battle 
in  the  morning.     Clinton  chose  rather  to  avoid  that 
necessity,  and  at  midnight  he  silently  resumed  his 
march,  undiscovered  by  the  wearied  and  sleeping 
Americans. 

103  In  his  official  dispatch  to   Lord  George  Ger 
main,  Clinton  wrote  :  "  Having  reposed  the  troops 
until  ten  at  night,  to  avoid  the  excessive  heat  of 
the  day,  I  took  advantage  of  the  moonlight  to  re- 
joiu  CJuucrul  Knyphausen,  [the  commander  of  the 


NOTES.  303 

Hessians,]  who  had  advanced  to  Nut  Swamp,  near 
Middletown."  This  dispatch  caused  a  great  deal 
of  merriment  in  America,  for  it  was  known  that 
the  event  took  place  at  about  the  time  of  new 
moon.  Poor  Will's  Almanac,  printed  by  Joseph 
Cruikshank,  in  Philadelphia,  indicates  the  occur 
rence  of  new  moon,  on  the  24th  of  June,  and  be 
ing  four  days  old  on  the  night  of  the  battle,  it  set 
at  fifty-five  minutes  past  ten.  Clinton  had  waited 
for  its  setting  in  order  to 

"  Steal  off  on  tiptoe  in  the  dark." 

104  In  his  retreat,  Clinton  placed  Knyphausen 
and  his  Germans  in  the  rear.  In  fact  during  the 
whole  time  of  service  of  the  German  troops  in 
America,  they  were  always  used  as  shields  to  the 
British,  and  were  made  to  perform  those  services 
in  which  honorable  soldiers  would  not  willingly 
consent  to  be  engaged. 

103  The  poet's  allusion  here,  to  the  remarkable 
event  recorded  in  the  tenth  chapter  of  the  Book 
of  Joshua,  is  very  pertinent,  and  is  elucidated  by 
note  103. 

ll6  This  refers  to  the  treaty  of  friendship  and 
alliance,  formed  between  the  struggling  colonies 
and  France,  on  the  6th  of  February,  1778.  The 
Bourbon  king  of  France  had  been  secretly  aiding 
the  revolted  colonies,  by  supplies  of  arms,  ammu 
nition,  and  money,  ever  since  1776,  but  unwilling 
to  have  an  untimely  rupture  with  Great  Britain, 


304  NOTES. 

all  the  transactions  were  so  conducted  as  to  have 
a  commercial  aspect  in  private  hand*.  But  when 
the  success  of  the  Americans  appeared  certain 
after  they  had,  unaided,  captured  the  powerful 
army  of  Burgoyne,  the  French  king  saw  that  he 
might  then  inflict  a  severe  blow  upon  his  old  enemy, 
England,  by  acknowledging  the  independence  of 
the  colonies,  and  by  forming  an  alliance  with  them. 
That  measure  was  soon  accomplished,  and  the  in 
telligence  that,  on  account  of  that  alliance,  France 
had  sent  a  powerful  fleet  to  America,  caused,  as 
we  have  seen  (note  101),  the  evacuation  of  Phila 
delphia  and  the  Delaware  by  the  British  land  and 
naval  forces. 

107  Pursuant  to  the  terms  of  the  treaty  of  al 
liance  with  France,  the   Count   D'Estaing   sailed 
from  Toulon  with  a  powerful  fleet  in  April,  1778, 
and  arrived  off  the  Capes  of  the  Delaware  in  July 
following.     The  British  fleet  had  escaped   to  the 
safe  anchorage  within  Sandy  Hook,  where  the  heavy 
French  vessels  could  not  reach  them.    After  block' 
ading  Howe's  fleet  there  for  a  short  time,  D'Estaing 
sailed  eastward,  to  aid  the  Americans  in  rescuing 
Rhode  Island  from  the  British.      Off  Newport,  iu 
August,  D'Estaing  and  a  fleet  under  Howe,  which 
had   followed   him  from    New   York,  attempted  to 
fight,  but  a  terrible  gale  dispersed  both  fleets,  and 
damaged  them  badly. 

108  In  1779,  D'Estaing  was  sent   to   the  West 
Indies  with  a  powerful  fleet,  captured  St.  Vincent 


NOTES.  305 

and  Grenada  from  the  English,  defeated  Admiral 
Biron  in  a  naval  engagement,  and  made  prizes  of 
a  British  ship-of-the-line,  and  several  frigates,  on 
the  southern  coast  of  the  United  States.  He  also 
assisted  in  the  siege  of  Savannah,  in  the  autumn 
of  that  year  ;  but,  pretending  to  fear  the  effect  of 
the  autumn  storms  upon  his  fleet,  he  abandoned 
the  siege  when  victory  was  almost  in  the  grasp  of 
the  allies,  and  went  to  sea. 

109  Charles  Henry,  Count  D'Estaing,  was  a  na 
tive  of  Auvergne,  France.     He  was  a  famous  sol 
dier  in  the  French  service  in  the  East  Indies  in 
1756,  was  made  prisoner  by  the   English,  broke 
his  parole   and  escaped.     He  commanded  an  ex 
pedition  against  Grenada.     He  became  a  member 
of  the  Assembly  of  Notables  in  the  French  Revo 
lution,    and,    being    suspected    of    unfriendliness 
toward    the    Terrorists,    he   was    guillotined    in 
April,  1793. 

110  Francis  Joseph  Paul,  Count  De  Grasse,  was 
a  native  of  France,  and  born  in  1723.     He  was  an 
active   naval  officer  in   the  West   Indies,   before 
coming  upon  the  American  coast,  and  afterward 
performed  signal  service  in   assisting  in  the  cap 
ture  of  Cornwallis  and  his  army  at  Yorktown  in 
October,  1781.     He  formed  an  alliance  with   an 
unworthy  woman  after  his  return  to  France,  whose 
conduct  embittered   his  life.     He   died  early   in 
1788,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years. 

11  The  life  and  services  of  the  Marquis   De  La 


306  NOTES. 

Fayette,  arc   too  well  known  to  every  American 
reader,  to  need  any  special  notice  here. 

1U  General  Lincoln  was  second  in  command  of 
the  army  under  Gates,  at  die  capture  of  Burgoyne. 
He  was  appointed  to  succeed  General  Ilobert 
Howe  in  command  of  the  southern  army,  in 
1779;  and  in  the  spring  of  1780,  having  been 
ordered  by  Congress  to  defend  Charleston,  the 
capital  of  South  Carolina,  at  all  hazards,  he 
collected  what  force  he  could  there,  and  sustained 
a  siege,  conducted  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  Lord 
Coruwallis,  and  Admiral  Arbuthnot,  for  several 
weeks.  He  was  at  length  compelled  to  yield,  and 
on  the  12th  of  May  surrendered  his  army  and  the 
city  to  the  victorious  enemy. 

113  After  the  capture  of  Charleston,  the  British 
officers  displayed  an  activity  hitherto  unknown  to 
them,  and  Clinton  left  Coruwallis  to  take  energetic 
measures  for  a  complete  subjugation  of  the  whole 
South.     Cornwallis  himself  marched  up  the  Santee 
toward  Camden;  another  detachment  under  Colo 
nel  Cruger  took  possession  of  Fort  Ninety-six  in  the 
south-western  part  of  South  Carolina,  and  another, 
under  Lieutenant-colonel  Brown,  who,  like  Cruger, 
was    an    American    Loyalist,    took    possessiou    of 
Augusta,  in   Georgia.       For    a   while,  these   two 
States  were  completely  crushed  beneath  the  heel 
of  British  power. 

114  This  refers  to  the  partisan  corps  under  Sum- 
ter,    Morgan,   Marion,   Pickens,    Clark,   Buford, 


NOTES.  307 

and  other  bold  leaders,  but  especially  to  the  van 
quished  array  of  Gates  mentioned  in  the  next 
note. 

115  General  Gates  was  sent  to  the  South  after 
the  fall  of  Charleston,  to   rally  the    patriots  and 
reclaim  Georgia  and  South  Carolina.     He  went 
with  proud   confidence  of  success,  and  in   a  night 
and  early   morning,  engagement  with  Cornwallis, 
near  Camden,  he  was  signally  defeated,  his  whole 
army  was  dispersed,  and  he  was  compelled  to  be 
come  a  flying  fugitive  with  only  a  handful  of  at 
tendants.     General  Charles  Lee,  (then  in  disgrace 
because  of  bad  conduct  at  Monmouth,)  who  knew 
Gates  well,  said  to  him,  on  his  departure,  "  Take 
care   that  you  do  not   exchange  your  Northern 
laurels  for  Southern  willows."     To  this  the  poet 
alludes. 

116  After  the  defeat  of  Gates,  Cornwallis  pressed 
forward  into   North  Carolina,  took  post  at   Hills- 
borough,  and  really  held  military  sway,  even  to  the 
borders  of  Virginia,  which,  also,   he   included  in 
his  programme  of  conquest. 

157  This  is  in  allusion  to  Arnold's  marauding  ex 
peditions  in  Virginia.  He  sent  off  several  cargoes 
of  negroes  and  tobacco  (the  fruits  of  his  plunder) 
to  the  West  Indies,  ani  sold  them  for  his  own 
profit. 

118  Admiral  Lord  Rodney,  having  been  unsuc 
cessful  in  attempting  to  recapture  St.  Vincent 
from  the  French,  in  1781,  sailed  for  the  Dutch 


308  NOTES. 

island  of  St.  Eustatius,  where  there  was  an  im 
mense  amount  of  goods,  belonging  to  people  of 
several  nations,  neutrals  as  well  as  belligerents, 
because  it  was  a  free  island.  The  Governor  had 
not  heard  of  the  commencement  of  hostilities  be 
tween  Great  Britain  and  Holland,  and  being  un 
prepared,  made  no  defence.  The  value  of  the 
capture  was  immense.  Two  hundred  and  fifty 
vessels,  some  with  rich  cargoes,  were  taken,  and 
goods  valued  at  three  millions  of  pounds  sterling 
were  seized.  This  capture  of  property  belonging 
to  subjects  of  neutral  nations,  and  the  general 
seizure  and  sale  of  private  as  well  as  public  pro 
perty  for  the  benefit  of  the  captors,  was  truly  an 
insult  to  the  laws  of  nations. 

19  In  allusion  to  Tryon's  marauding  expeditions 
already  referred  to. 

110  After  the  defeat  of  Gates  near  Camden,  in 
August,  1780,  General  Nathaniel  Greene  was  ap 
pointed  to  the  command  of  the  Southern  army. 
He  soon  gathered  a  considerable  force,  took  post 
at  Cheraw  on  the  east,  and  on  the  Broad  River  ou 
the  west,  and  prepared  to  reclaim  the  Carolinas. 
He  was,  however,  compelled  to  flee  before  Corn- 
wallis  to  Virginia,  early  in  1781.  Greene  re 
mained  in  Virginia  only  long  enough  to  refresh 
his  troops  and  receive  recruits,  when  he  again 
entered  North  Carolina.  The  decisive  battle  at 
Guilford  Court- House,  in  which  Cornwallis  was 
victor,  so  far  as  maintaining  the  field  was  con- 


NOTES.  309 

oerncd,  occurred  in  March.  "  Another  such  vio 
tory,"  said  Charles  Fox  in  the  House  of  Commons, 
"  will  ruin  the  British  army."  It  was  disastrous 
to  Cornwallis,  and  he  hastened  with  the  remains 
of  his  army  to  Wilmington,  near  the  seaboard, 
and  then  pushed  forward  into  Virginia,  wher&, 
Benedict  Arnold,  the  traitor,  was  marauding. 

121  During  the  spring  and  summer  of  1781, 
Greene  swept  every  vestige  of  British  power  from 
the  interior  of  the  Carolinas,  and  drove  the  enemy 
toward  the  coast.  Outposts,  forts,  encampments, 
depots,  all  were  captured  or  broken  up,  and  the 
lost  South  was  almost  completely  regained.  When, 
in  October,  Cornwallis  surrendered  at  Yorktown, 
the  British  in  South  Carolina  were  confined  to 
Charleston,  and  those  in  Georgia  were  hemmed 
within  the  narrow  limits  of  Savannah  and  its  im 
mediate  vicinity. 

u"2  After  in  vain  attempting  to  overrun  and  sub 
due  Virginia,  Cornwallis,  close  pressed  by  La 
Fayette,  Wayne  and  Steuben,  slowly  retired  sea 
ward;  and,  pursuant  to  orders  from  General  Clin 
ton,  to  be  prepared  to  come  to  his  aid  at  New 
York,  if  necessary,  he  crossed  the  James  River 
and  took  post  at  Portsmouth,  opposite  Norfolk. 
Disl-king  that  situation,  he  entered  the  Chesapeake 
Bay,  and  going  up  York  River,  commenced  forti 
fying  the  village  of  York,  and  Gloucester  Point, 
opposite.  There  he  constructed  heavy  fortifications, 
and  seemed  to  defy  the  power  of  t!ie  Americans. 


310  NOTES. 

m  When  General  Clinton  heard  of  the  march  of 
the  allied  armies  southward,  he  sent  Admiral 
Graves  to  assist  Cornwallis.  But  the  Count  De 
Grasse,  who  had  just  arrived  with  his  fleet  from 
the  West  Indies,  was  already  in  Lynn  Haven  Bay, 
within  the  capes,  and  Graves  could  not  enter  York 
River.  After  the  two  fleets  had  a  slight  combat 
just  outside  the  mouth  of  the  Chesapeake,  Graves 
withdrew. 

u'4  Count  Rochambeau,  the  commander-in-chief 
of  the  French  army  in  America,  joined  Washing 
ton  on  the  Hudson,  a  few  miles  above  New  York, 
in  the  summer  of  1781.  After  deceiving  Clinton 
into  the  belief  that  they  intended  to  attack  him 
in  New  York,  the  allied  armies  made  rapid 
marches  southward,  at  the  suggestion  of  La 
Fayette,  who  was  watching  Cornwallis  there. 
They  arrived  at  Williamsburgh,  a  few  miles  from 
Yorktown,  twelve  thousand  strong,  on  the  28th  of 
September,  and  made  immediate  preparations  to 
attack  the  invader. 

H5  After  the  capture  of  Burgoyne  at  Saratoga, 
in  1777,  to  Burgoyne  an  army,  was  a  favorite  ex 
pression  in  America,  when  alluding  to  a  total  and 
complete  capture. 

m  According  to  Ovid,  in  his  Metamorphoses, 
Cadmus,  the  founder  of  Grecian  Thebes,  wish 
ing  to  sacrifice  to  the  gods  a  cow  which  he  had 
followed  to  the  spot,  by  command  of  the  Delphic 
Oracle,  he  sent  to  a  fountain  for  water.  It  was 


NOTES.  311 

guarded  by  a  serpent,  which  he  afterwards  killed. 
By  direction  of  Minerva,  he  sowed  its  teeth,  and 
instantly  a  crop  of  armed  men  started  up  from  the 
ground,  five  of  whom  assisted  him  in  building 
Thebes. 

J*"  Fnding  his  fortifications  to  be  gradually 
crumbling  under  the  terrible  blows  of  the  allied 
besiegers,  Cornwallis  sought  shelter  for  himself 
and  army,  by  flight.  He  determined  to  cross  the 
York  river,  break  through  the  French  troops  on 
the  other  side,  and  make  forced  marches  toward 
New  York.  Just  as  a  part  of  his  troops  were 
embarked  a  sudden  tempest  arose,  and  they  were 
driven  back.  Cornwallia  was  foiled,  and  saw  no 
alternative  but  surrender  or  destruction. 

128  Yorktown  stands  upon  a  high  bluif  of  rock 
marl,  making  the  shore  of  the  York  river,  very 
precipitous.  At  the  foot  of  this  bank  Cornwallis 
had  an  excavation  made,  in  which,  secure  from 
the  rage  of  battle  above,  he  held  councils  with  his 
officers.  That  excavation  has  now  disappeared, 
but  another  made  since,  was  shown  to  visitors,  at 
a  shilling  a-piece,  as  the  identical  one,  when  the 
writer  visited  Yorktown  a  few  years  ago. 

1J9  Driven  to  extremities,  and  despairing  of  aid 
from  General  Clinton,  Cornwallis  offered  to  nego 
tiate  for  a  surrender  of  his  whole  army.  It  was 
done,  and  in  the  presence  of  a  vast  concourse  of 
people  assembled  from  the  country,  and  before 
the  allied  armies,  the  sword  of  Cornwallis  was 


312  NOTES. 

delivered  by  General  O'Hara  to  General  Lincoln, 
and  the  whole  army  laid  down  their  arms,  on  the 
19th  of  October,  1781.  The  shipping  in  the 
river  —  every  thing  —  became  spoils  of  victory. 
The  whole  number  of  persons  surrendered,  was  a 
little  more  than  seven  thousand. 

130  f£>}16  Virginia  Loyalists,  and  those  who  had 
accompanied  Cornwallis  from  North  Carolina. 

131  Edicts  issued  by  the  popes  were  called  Bulls, 
from  the  seal  (bulla)  attached  to  them.     These 
seals  were  made  of  metals    and  wax.     The   cele 
brated  "  golden  bull  "  of  the  Emperor  Charles  the 
Fourth,  was  so  called  because  the  seal  was  made 
of  gold. 

13J  The  British  commanders,  and  especially 
Cornwallis,  had  proclaimed  full  protection  to  the 
Loyalists,  on  all  occasions.  There  were  about 
fifteen  hundred  Tories  with  Cornwallis  at  York- 
town.  All  the  favor  he  asked  for  them,  on  his 
surrender,  was  that  a  vessel  might  be  provided  to 
carry  away  the  most  obnoxious,  who  were  afraid 
to  meet  the  resentment  of  the  Whigs. 

133  Genesis,  Chapter  iv. 

i«  "  From  his  horrid  hair, 

Shakes  pestilence  and  war." 

Milton. 


Before   alluded    to   the   often    re 
peated   assurances  in  British   proclamations,  that 


NOTES.  313 

the  "  door  of  mercy  is  now  open,"  and  "  the  door 
of  mercy  will  be  shut."  The  poet  seemed  to  fear 
that  the  hinge  of  that  door  so  constantly  swinging, 
might  be  quite  worn  out. 

w  The  genius  of  America  was  generally  repre 
sented  as  a  native  female,  in  the  scant  costume  of 
the  aborigines,  and  head  dressed  with  the  long 
plumage  of  the  eagle  and  other  birds.  Such  a 
figure  may  be  seen  on  the  colonial  pendant  seals. 
"  Tories  dressed  in  plumes,"  is  an  allusion  to  their 
being  tarred  and  feathered. 

187  Referring  to  the  American  flag. 

138  In  allusion  to  Lord  Mansfield's  favorite   dis 
position  of  culprits,   by   transporting   them   into 
exile  in  some  colony  of  Great  Britain. 

139  King  George  the  Third,  and  Lord  North,  his 
prime  minister. 

140  In  law,   a   writ    to    restrain  a   person    from 
going  out  of  the  kingdom,  without  the  king's  per 
mission. 

141  The  description  of  Continental  paper  money, 
which  here  follows,  is  one  of  the  finest  examples  of 
the  sublime  burlesque  to  be  found  in  our  language, 
especially  when  all  its  allusions  are  made  plain  by 
the  light  of  history. 

14''  The  crutches  called  "  Regulation  "  and  "  Ten- 
der,"  by  which  the  specter  was  supported,  were  the 
acts  of  the  State  legislatures,  in  their  attempts  to 
prevent  the  depreciation  of  the  Continental  money, 
and  to  maintain  its  credit.  Some  of  those  acts 
14 


314  NOTES. 

were  for  the  regulation  of  the  prices  of  commodi 
ties,  and  the  others  were1  to  make  that  paper  a 
lawful  tender,  in  payment  for  goods,  or  debts. 

143  On  all   the  emissions   of  Continental    Bills, 
there  was  printed  the  pledge  of  Congress  for  their 
punctual  redemption,  in  the  words,  "  The  Faith  of 
the  United  States." 

144  See  Note  62,  Canto  IV. 

145  On  the  22d  of  June,  1775,  the  Continental 
Congress  resolved  to  issue  bills  of  credit,  or  paper 
money,  to  pay  the  current  expenses  of  the  war. 
This  was  called  Continental  money.     These  bills 
were    issued    soon   afterward,  and  new  emissions 
were  authorized  from  time  to  time,  until  the  aggre 
gate  sum  put  forth  represented  two  hundred  mil 
lions  of  dollars.     Within  a  little  more  than  two 
years  after  their  emission,  they  began  to  depreciate 
in  value,  because  the  pledge,  printed  upon    each 
bill,  that  Congress  would  pay  gold  and  silver  for 
them,   could  not  be   redeemed.     In   1780,  forty 
paper  dollars  were  worth  only  one  in  specie ;   and 
so  rapid  was  the  depreciation,  that  at  the  close  of 
1781,  they  were  worthless.     They  had  performed 
a  temporary  public  good,  but  produced  much  in 
convenience,    and   even   suffering,   to   individuals. 
To  the  worthlessness  of  this  currency  the  poet  al 
ludes  in  speaking  of  the  "  Ghost  of  Continental 
money." 

146  Brazil  in  South  America,  is  one  a?  the  chief 
sources  from   whence  diamonds   have  been   pro- 


NOTES.  315 

cured  in  modern  times.  The  allusion  to  Peruvian 
wealth,  refers  to  the  rich  gold  and  silver  mines — 
the  richest  then  known  in  the  world — discovered  by 
the  Spanish  conquerors  of  Peru,  as  well  as  the  im 
mense  amount  of  precious  metals  found  in  the 
temples,  and  in  the  palaces  of  the  Incas  or  rulers 
of  that  country. 

147  Danae  was  the  daughter  of  a  king  of  Argos, 
who  on  consulting  an  oracle,  was  told  that  she 
would  bear  a  son  who  would  deprive  the  king  of 
his  life.  To  prevent  this,  the  king  shut  her  up 
in  a  brazen  tower,  with  her  nurse.  Jupiter  had 
seen  and  loved  the  maiden ;  and  under  the  form 
of  a  golden  shower,  he  poured  through  the  roof, 
into  her  bosom.  She  became  the  mother  of  Per 
seus,  by  Jupiter,  and  the  young  man  killed  his 
grandfather,  by  accident. 

145  One  of  the  most  ruinous  speculations  of 
modern  times,  was  the  conception  of  John  Law  of 
Edinburgh,  who,  by  remarkable  shrewdness  in 
financial  schemes,  became  comptroller-general  of 
the  treasury  of  France.  He  proposed  three 
schemes — a  bank,  an  East  India  Company,  and  a 
Mississippi  Land  and  Trading  Company.  The 
French  ministry  became  enamored  with  his  plans 
in  1710,  and  in  1716  Law  opened  a  bank  in  his 
own  name,  under  the  Regent  of  France.  Most  of 
the  people  of  property,  and  of  all  ranks,  pur 
chased  shares  in  his  bank  and  his  companies,  with 
the  expectation  of  immense  profits.  His  was  de 


316  NOTES. 

clared  a  royal  bank  in  1718.  The  shares  rapidly 
appreciated  in  value — upwards  of  twenty-fold  that 
of  the  original — and  in  1719,  they  were  worth 
eighty  times  the  amount  of  all  the  current  specie 
in  France.  That  great  fabric  of  false  credit  fell  to 
the  ground  the  following  year,  and  almost  pros 
trated  the  French  government  in  its  fall.  Tens 
of  thousands  of  families  were  utterly  ruined. 

149  It  is  a  singular  fact  that  a  scheme  of  specu 
lation  similar  to  that  of  Law's  in  France,  had 
birth  in  England  the  same  year  (1710),  and  ex 
ploded  the  same  year  (1720).  A  company  was 
incorporated  in  1716,  under  the  name  of  the 
South  Sea  Company.  The  affair  promised  im 
mense  gains  to  the  stockholders,  and  the  shares, 
originally  £100,  raised  to  the  enormous  price  of 
£1000  !  As  in  France,  almost  every  person  of 
wealth  in  Great  Britain,  became  stockjobbers  and 
speculators  in  the  fatal  scheme.  The  airy  fabric 
fell  in  1720,  and  ruined  thousands  of  families. 
The  estates  of  the  directors,  valued  at  £2,014,000, 
were  seized  in  1721.  Mr.  Knight,  the  cashier, 
absconded  with  £100,000,  but  compounded  for 
£10,000,  and  returned.  The  success  of  Law's 
scheme  in  France,  was  the  origin  of  the  similar 
Bcheme  in  England.  The  papers  and  pamphlets  of 
the  time,  contained  many  squibs  during  the  pre 
valence  of  the  mania,  and  after  the  bubble  burst, 
caricatures  in  abundance  appeared,  in  ridicule  of 
the  whole  thing.  "  Bubble-Cards "  were  used 


NOTES.  317 

by  players,  all  bearing  some  appropriate  verse, 
give  one  as  a  fair  specimen : 

"  A  lady  pawns  her  jewels  by  her  maid, 
And  in  declining  stock  presumes  to  trade, 
Till  in  South  Sea  at  length  she  drowns  her  coin, 
And  now  in  Bristol  stones  glad  is  to  shine." 

50  The  infancy  of  modern  chemistry,  assumed 
the  charlatan  form  of  Alchemy,  or  the  pretence  of 
transmuting  baser  metals  into  gold.  It  was  pre 
tended  that  a  certain  powder,  known  to  chemists, 
would  convert  base  metals  into  gold ;  and  many 
men  have  wasted  their  lives  in  attempts  to  dis 
cover  this  philosopher's  stone,  as  that  powder  was 
called.  At  about  1782,  Dr.  Price,  of  Guilford, 
England,  professed  to  have  made  the  discovery, 
and  carried  specimens  of  his  gold  to  the  king,  af 
firming  that  it  was  made  by  means  of  a  red  and 
white  powder.  He  was  a  Fellow  of  the  Royal 
Society,  and  was  required,  on  pain  of  expulsion, 
to  repeat  his  experiments  before  a  committee  of 
that  body.  After  some  equivocation,  he  committed 
suicide  by  the  use  of  poison,  in  1783.  The  Phi 
losopher's  stone  may  be  ranked  with  Perpetual 
motion,  the  Inextinguishable  lamp,  the  Quadra 
ture  of  the  circle,  and  other  impossibilities,  which 
have  puzzled  and  deranged  the  brains  of  other 
wise  sensible  men. 

151  The  name  of  Midas  appears  among  the  earli 
est  mythological  legends  of  the  Greeks,  as  king 


318  NOTES. 

of  a  district  in  Thrace.  One  legend  (to  which  our 
poet  here  refers),  represents  Midas  us  having  on 
one  occasion  excited  the  gratitude  of  Bacchus, 
who  desired  him  to  ask  any  favor  he  pleased. 
Midas  requested  that  whatever  he  touched  might 
be  turned  to  gold.  It  was  granted.  The  myth 
doubtless  illustrates  the  historical  fact  of  an  an 
cient  Phrygian  prince,  who  became  very  wealthy 
by  mines  and  by  commercial  operations. 

I5'2  The  Continental  money,  as  here  indicated, 
performed  a  vast  amount  of  public  good,  during 
the  first  years  of  the  war,  notwithstanding  its  de 
preciation,  as  we  have  said,  fell  heavily  upon  th<! 
great  mass  of  the  people.  Tt  carried  on  the  finan 
cial  operations  of  the  war  ;  and  weak  and  faithless 
as  it  afterwards  proved,  it  was  the  very  sinews  of 
strength  in  providing  means  for  opposing  the  su 
perior  power  of  Great  Britain,  in  the  conflict. 

153  In  order  to  facilitate  the  depreciation  of 
Continental  paper  money,  and  thus  weaken  this 
arm  of  patriotic  resistance,  vast  quantities  of 
counterfeit  Continental  bills  were  printed,  and 
sent  into  the  country  from  New  York  and  Long 
Island.  In  Gaine's  New  York  Mercury,  April 
14th,  1777,  appeared  the  following  significant  ad 
vertisement  :  "  Persons  going  into  other  colonies 
may  be  supplied  with  any  number  of  counterfeited 
Congress  notes,  for  the  price  of  the  paper  per  ream. 
They  are  so  neatly  and  exactly  executed,  that 
there  is  no  risk  in  getting  thfnn  off,  being  almost 


NOTES.  319 

impossible  to  discover  that  they  are  not  genuine. 
This  has  been  proven  by  bills  to  a  very  large 
amount  which  have  already  been  successfully  cir 
culated.  Inquire  of  Q.  E.  D.  at  the  coffee-house, 
from  11  A.  M.  to  5  P.  M.  during  the  present 
month."  These  counterfeits  were  sent  into  the 
country  by  cart-loads.  Such  was  one  of  the  dis 
honorable  modes  of  warfare,  employed  by  the 
British  commanders  here.  The  younger  Pitt, 
when  prime  minister  of  England,  caused  a  large 
number  of  French  assignats  to  be  forged  at  Bir 
mingham,  to  depreciate  the  currency  of  the  French 
republic.  Napoleon  also  caused  forged  notes  of 
the  Austrian  Bank  to  be  distributed  throughout 
the  Austrian  Tyrol. 

u4  Exodus,  Chapter  viii ,  verse  17. 

U5  Portions  of  the  shores  of  Great  Britain  are 
remarkable  for  cliffs  of  chalk,  which  may  be  seen 
at  a  great  distance.  For  this  reason,  Caesar  gave 
it  the  name  of  Albion. 

6  The  common  penalty  for  felony  in  England, 
was  transportation  to  the  colonies,  and  many  left 
their  country  for  their  country's  good.  The  idea 
of  transporting  the  whole  Island,  was  a  grand  am 
plification  in  the  mind  of  the  poet. 

167  The  superficial  area  of  Lake  Erie  is  greater 
than  that  of  England ;  while  Lake  Superior,  the 
largest  body  of  fresh  water  in  the  world,  is 
twenty-two  hundred  miles  in  circumference.  Eng 
land  might  be  placed  in  its  centre,  and  its  people 


5  2O  NOTES. 

could  hardly  spy  the  main  from  its  shores.  This 
couplet,  however,  drew  down  upon  the  head  of  the 
author  very  severe  rebuke  from  the  British  press 
in  after  years.  The  poem  was  first  published 
complete  in  America  in  1782.  Some  years  after 
ward  it  was  reprinted  in  London.  In  the  mean 
while  Lord  North,  who  was  always  near-sighted, 
had  lost  his  sight  entirely,  and  the  critics  unfairly 
imagined  that  these  two  lines  were  intended  as  a 
cruel  insult.  In  a  subsequent  edition,  the  name 
of  the  king  was  inserted  in  place  of  that  of 
North.  A  few  years  afterward,  the  king  also  was 
afflicted  with  blindness.  So,  to  later  readers,  the 
unfortunate  poet  still  appeared  cruel. 

158  This  refers  to  the  confederacy  of  the  Northern 
European  powers  against  England,  commenced  in 
1780  by  the  Empress  Catharine,  of  Russia.  The 
ostensible  object  was  to  protect  the  rights  of  neu 
trals  in  time  of  war — the  real  object  was  to  crip 
ple  the  maritime  power  of  England.  Catharine 
issued  her  proclamation  in  February.  In  the 
course  of  the  summer,  Prussia,  Denmark,  and 
Sweden,  became  parties  to  the  policy  declared  by 
the  Czarina,  namely,  that  no  port  should  be  con 
sidered  blockaded,  unless  there  was  sufficient  force 
present  to  maintain  a  blockade.  In  November 
the  States-General  of  Holland  joined  the  con 
federacy.  France  and  Spain  also  acquiesced  in  the 
new  maritime  code,  and  a  general  Continental  war 
against  England  appeared  inevitable.  This  was 


NOTES.  321 

called  the  Armed  Neutrality.  The  scheme  failed, 
however,  because  of  a  want  of  confidence  in  the 
faithfulness  of  the  Empress. 

59  This  was  not  uttered  in  a  spirit  of  prophecy, 
yet  how  prophetic  were  the  words,  let  current  his 
tory  testify.  Freneau,  another  poet  of  the  llevo 
lution,  seemed  equally  prophetic  in  his  Rising 
Glory  of  America,  written  in  1775.  He  says  : 

— "  I  see,  I  see 

Freedom's  established  reign  ;  cities  and  men, 
Numerous  as  sands  upon  the  ocean's  shore, 
And  empires  rising  where  the  sun  descends! 
The  Ohio  soon  shall  glide  by  many  a  town 
Of  note  ;  and  where  the  Mississippi  stream, 
By  {'orQsts  shaded,  now  runs  weeping  on, 
Nations  shall  grow,  and  states  not  less  in  fame 
Than  Greece  and  Rome  of  old !  " 

160  We  can  never  sufficiently  lament  this  sudden 
termination  of  the  VISION,  for  it  might  have  ex 
tended  far  down  the  ages  beyond  our  present  experi 
ence,  and  revealed  future  realities  which  have  no 
yet  become  elements  of  our  dreams. 

16;  "  either  tropic  now, 

'Gan  thunder." 

•  Milton's  Paradise  Regained. 

161  The  poet  here  uses  a  common   phrase  with 
the  British  officers  during  the  war.      Every  officci 
who  luckily  escaped  capture  or  destruction,   de 
scribed  his  retreat  as  having  "  been  under  the  very 
nose  of  the  enemy." 

163  In   allusion   to   the   fact   that   all   obnoxious 
14* 


322  NOTES. 

New  England  Tories,  when  the  places  of  their 
abode  became  too  hot  for  them,  hastened  to  Boston, 
and  placed  themselves  under  the  protection  of  the 
British.  M'Fingal,  for  his  loyalty,  and  for  his 
courage  when  out  of  the  presence  of  danger,  was 
as  highly  deserving  of  that  protection,  as  his  great 
needs,  at  that  perilous  moment,  could  claim. 

164  Genesis.  Chapter  xix. 

165  After  the  Americans  had  promulgated  the'rr 
Declaration    of     Independence,    the    ministerial 
speakers  in  parliament,  and   writers   in  favor   of 
the  government,  amused  themselves  by  calling  it 
"  The  Phantom    of    Independence."     The  news 
papers  echoed  the  simile,  and  it  was  a  favorite 
idea  until  it  assumed  a  shape   so  substantial,  in 
the  progress   of  the  war,   as  to   make   the  word 
ridiculous. 

166  The  hegira  of  M'Fingal,  was  a   memorable 
epoch  in  the  computation  of  the  Loyalists.     Epic 
poetry  has  scarcely  a  parallel  in  giving  the  grand 
catastrophe — the  denouement  of  the  story.     We 
would  gladly  tell  the  reader  more  of  the  life  of 
the  hero — his  sufferings  in  exile — his  promotion 
in   office — his   safe    denunciations    of   democracy 
"  under  the  very  nose  "  of  monarchy — but  the  re 
spectful  silence  of  the  poet  puts  an  injunction  of 
secrecy  upon  the  pen   of  the   Annotator. 


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